What basis should LPCs use to provide diagnoses of mental disorders?

The basis for providing diagnoses of mental disorders by Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) should be grounded in published standards in professional ethics. This approach ensures that LPCs adhere to established guidelines and frameworks that have been vetted through rigorous professional review and empirical evidence. Following these ethical standards promotes consistency, reliability, and validity in diagnoses, which is fundamental to providing appropriate treatment and care to clients.

Published standards often include criteria from respected sources such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). These sources are formulated by experts in the field and provide a structured way to understand and diagnose various mental health conditions, ensuring that LPCs are working with a common language and understanding of mental health issues. This helps to safeguard both the counselor's practice and the welfare of the clients they serve, fostering accountability and ethical decision-making in clinical settings.