Which type of boards oversee the ethical standards in counseling?

The correct answer is that ethics boards are primarily responsible for overseeing the ethical standards in counseling. These boards are specifically tasked with establishing, maintaining, and enforcing ethical guidelines and standards of practice for counselors and other professionals within the mental health field. Their role is crucial in ensuring that practitioners adhere to ethical principles, which include confidentiality, informed consent, and the welfare of clients.

Ethics boards typically review complaints against counselors, investigate allegations of unethical behavior, and impose sanctions when necessary. They also provide guidance on ethical dilemmas that professionals may encounter in practice, thereby fostering a professional environment grounded in integrity and accountability.

Other types of boards, while they may have regulatory or advisory roles, do not specifically focus on ethics in the same way. For instance, licensing boards primarily handle the credentialing of professionals and ensure that they meet the necessary qualifications to practice, but they do not typically manage ethical conduct directly.