Resources

Options Counseling Standards

Standards and other helpful resources for programs that provide education for medical professionals and social workers.

Although professional organizations vary in the amount of detail they provide in their standards and code of ethics statements regarding options counseling and adoption, they all share three important principles:

Information is provided on an equal basis.
Counseling is provided in a non-directive manner.
Patients are provided the opportunity to freely choose the service or procedures they want.

Counseling Standards and Statements

Medical and Health Association Standards

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM):

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

American Medical Association (AMA):

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN):

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH):

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM):

Social Work and Human Service Organization Standards

Child Welfare League of America:

National Association of Social Workers (NASW):

Social Current/Council on Accreditation:

Options Counseling Standards

Counseling Standards and Statements

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