Okla. Admin. Code § 450:75-5-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 450:75-5-3 - Code of ethics and professional standards

(a) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall adhere to the following code of ethics:

(1) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall be committed to respecting the dignity and autonomy of all persons that is to include, but is not limited to, professional relationships with consumers (or former consumers), supervisees, students, employees, or research participants in efforts to maintain the highest standards of their practice.

(2) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall terminate service to consumers, and professional relationships with them, when such service and relationships are no longer required or in which a conflict of interest arises.

(3) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not, in the rendering of their professional services, participate in, condone, and promote discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, disability and or limitation, or national origin.

(4) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall be aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status and consider these factors when working with members of such groups. They shall also eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors, and shall not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices or influence.

(5) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall be obligated to report witnessed, involved, or reported ethical violations without violation of any confidentiality rights that may be involved. Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall be obligated to follow steps of reporting professional misconduct as set forth by the Department and in this Chapter.

(6) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall give precedence to his or her professional responsibility over personal interests.

(7) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not engage in any form of gambling, betting, or wagering specifically with clients.

(8) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not render professional services while under the influence of alcohol or other mind or mood altering drugs.

(b) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors must be aware of their influential positions with respect to consumers and not exploit the trust and dependency of consumers. Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall refrain from dual relationships with consumers because of the potential to impair professional judgment and to increase the risk of harm to consumers. Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not exploit their relationships with current or former consumers, supervisees, students, employees, or others, sexually or otherwise, for personal advantage, profit, satisfaction, or interest.

(1) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not have any type of sexual contact with consumers and shall not provide services to persons with whom they have had a sexual relationship.

(2) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not engage in sexual contact with former consumers.

(3) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not knowingly enter into a close personal relationship or engage in any business or financial dealings with a former consumer for five (5) years after the termination of the treatment relationship.

(4) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall be committed to each individual's rights of his or her own life choices and recovery journey by letting him or her direct the healing process.

(5) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall keep confidential all information entrusted except when to do so puts the consumer at grave risk. Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors will be obligated to explain the limits of confidentiality initially in the professional working relationship.

(6) If the demands of an affiliated organization for whom the Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors is working is in conflict with these ethics and standards, the issues must be clarified and resolved to allow adherence to the rules set forth in this Chapter.

(7) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not solicit the clients of one's agency for private practice or to change service locations.

(8) Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselors shall not solicit clients, particularly at gambling establishments or self-help groups.

(c) It shall be unprofessional conduct for a Certified Problem Gambling Treatment Counselor or applicant to violate a state or federal statute if the violation is directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the counselor or if the violation involves moral turpitude.

Okla. Admin. Code § 450:75-5-3

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 06, December 1, 2021, eff. 11/1/2021

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/15/2022