PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AS A PILLAR OF COUNSELOR INTEGRITY IN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PRACTICE

Abstract

Professional ethics is an important foundation in maintaining the integrity of counselors in guidance and counseling practices. Counselors have high moral and ethical responsibilities, especially in maintaining confidentiality, respecting client rights, and building healthy professional relationships. This study aims to examine the role of professional ethics as a pillar of counselor integrity and its application in the context of guidance and counseling services in educational environments. The methods used are literature studies and descriptive analysis of the code of ethics of the counselor profession. The results of the study indicate that the application of professional ethics not only prevents moral and legal violations, but also strengthens client trust and improves service quality.