Regarding following ethics codes, which statement is false?

• A. If one follows the ethics codes, there is never a case of a conflict between ethical and legal duties.
• B. Ethics codes are not dogma, but guidelines.
• C. Following ethics codes helps professionals make responsible decisions.
• D. Codes require ongoing professional development.

Answer: (A)

Ethics codes provide a framework for professional conduct, but they do not eliminate all potential conflicts with legal duties. In practice, a counselor may encounter situations where what the law requires and what ethical guidelines recommend pull in different directions, such as confidentiality versus mandated reporting or disclosures in court. These kinds of ethical‑legal tensions show that it’s possible to face conflicts between ethical responsibilities and legal obligations, so the claim that such conflicts never occur isn’t accurate.

Ethics codes are not rigid dogma; they serve as guidelines that help professionals reason through dilemmas and apply principled judgment to real-world situations. This flexibility supports thoughtful decision-making rather than prescribing every action.

Following ethics codes indeed helps professionals make responsible decisions by offering a reference point that prioritizes client welfare, fairness, and professional integrity. And these codes typically require ongoing professional development to keep practice current with evolving standards and competencies.