SCCA Statement on the Importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI):

Recent and proposed policy changes are threatening institutional values around diversity, equity and inclusion. While impacting our work in many ways, these changes are also impacting the clients we serve. The values of DEI, celebrating and supporting our differences are at the core of the counseling profession. Our ACA Code of Ethics states:

A.4.b. Personal Values

Counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature.

A.7.a. Advocacy

When appropriate, counselors advocate at individual, group, institutional, and societal levels to address potential barriers and obstacles that inhibit access and/or the growth and development of clients.

C.5. Nondiscrimination

Counselors do not condone or engage in discrimination against prospective or current clients, students, employees, supervisees, or research participants based on age, culture, disability, ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/ partnership status, language preference, socioeconomic status, immigration status, or any basis proscribed by law.

Our SC Code of Ethics states:

(12) Professional Counselors shall guard the individual rights and personal dignity of their clients in the counseling relationship through an awareness of the impact of stereotyping and unwarranted discrimination.

SCCA is committed to upholding these values and empowering DEI initiatives in our field. While we are monitoring these changes, we are also fostering relationships with state legislators on both sides of the aisle to provide valuable insight and education. We want to emphasize that our commitment to DEI is not a political stance but a fundamental principle of our organization and counseling profession. As counselors, our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

SCCA will continue to advocate for the power of DEI in South Carolina and to highlight how all perspectives provide value and contribute to our community growth.

Yours In Service,

2024-2025 SCCA Executive Board

www.sccounselor.org