Code of Conduct

At Saha Counseling, we are committed to providing counseling services with professionalism, integrity, respect, and care. Our practice is guided by applicable Ohio law, the rules of the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, and applicable federal privacy and nondiscrimination requirements.

Our Professional Standards

We strive to uphold the following standards in all services we provide:

1. Respect for Every Client

We treat each client with dignity, respect, and professionalism. We aim to create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and free from discrimination, harassment, or exploitation.

2. Compliance with Ohio Counseling Law

Our counseling services are provided in accordance with Ohio law governing professional counselors, including the ethical practice standards adopted by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Ohio’s rules make clear that these ethical standards are the measure of professional conduct for licensed counselors in the state.

3. Practice Within Scope and Competence

Services are offered only within the counselor’s lawful scope of practice, education, training, and professional competence. Ohio law recognizes that licensed professional counselors may provide counseling services to assist individuals, groups, organizations, or the public with personal, social, educational, career, and adjustment concerns, and ethical practice rules also require attention to personal competency.

4. Honesty and Integrity

We provide information about services, fees, credentials, and practice policies honestly and accurately. We avoid misleading claims and strive for transparency in how care is delivered.

5. Professional Boundaries

We work to maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries. Ohio ethics rules require counselors to avoid multiple relationships and conflicts of interest, and when one cannot be avoided, to address it promptly, document it, and act in the client’s best interest.

6. Client Welfare First

We seek to act in ways that protect client welfare, support autonomy, and promote safe, ethical care. When difficult ethical or legal issues arise, we address them thoughtfully and in accordance with professional standards and applicable law.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Saha Counseling is committed to protecting client privacy and confidentiality as required by law. The HIPAA Privacy Rule sets national standards for protecting protected health information, limits certain uses and disclosures without authorization, and gives individuals rights to examine, obtain, and request correction of their records.

We make reasonable efforts to safeguard client information in written, electronic, and verbal form. Confidential information is disclosed only as permitted or required by law, including situations such as client authorization, certain treatment or payment functions where applicable, safety concerns, abuse reporting obligations, court requirements, or other legal exceptions.

Records and Client Rights

Clients have important rights regarding their records and protected health information. Under HIPAA, individuals generally have a legal right to inspect or obtain a copy of protected health information in a designated record set, subject to limited exceptions.

Saha Counseling aims to respond to records requests and privacy-related requests in accordance with applicable law and practice policies.

Nondiscrimination

Saha Counseling is committed to providing services in a manner that is free from unlawful discrimination. Federal civil rights laws enforced by HHS, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, prohibit discrimination in covered health programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. HHS also explains that covered programs delivered through electronic or information technology, including telehealth, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities unless a recognized legal exception applies.

We also support respectful communication and reasonable efforts toward accessibility for clients.

Court, Legal, and Third-Party Matters

When counseling services intersect with court orders, evaluations, or other legal processes, we follow applicable legal and ethical standards. Ohio ethics rules state that when a court or judicial body orders an evaluation, assessment, or report, the licensee must inform the client of the order’s parameters and may not go beyond those parameters without written permission from the court or other judicial body.

Concerns or Complaints

If you have concerns about your experience at Saha Counseling, we encourage you to raise them directly with our practice, when appropriate, so we can address them respectfully and promptly.

You may also contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, which regulates licensed professional counselors in Ohio. Ohio law provides for professional standards and disciplinary oversight through that board and its committees.

Ohio CSWMFT Board
Website: Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board

Important Note

This Code of Conduct is a general statement of Saha Counseling’s professional values and legal compliance commitments. It does not replace your informed consent documents, Notice of Privacy Practices, practice policies, or any rights and obligations established by Ohio or federal law.