Ethics

What is the Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC)?

The EAC is a volunteer committee appointed by the AASECT Board of Directors. Its purpose is to promote the highest ethical conduct among AASECT members through a consultation model that emphasizes:

  • Guidance
  • Education
  • Prevention of misconduct

The EAC does not serve as an adjudicative or disciplinary body. Those functions belong to the AASECT Board of Directors.

EAC Roles & Responsibilities

The Ethics Advisory Committee is responsible for:

  • Promoting high standards of ethical conduct among AASECT members
  • Providing education for members and the public about ethical principles and practices
  • Responding to inquiries from members or the public about general ethical standards
  • Offering consultation on specific ethical issues when requested by the Board of Directors
  • Reporting trends, themes, and types of ethics-related inquiries to the membership (via the Board)
  • Interpreting, implementing, and updating AASECT’s Code of Conduct

All EAC actions must align with AASECT’s Bylaws, Membership Agreement, Code of Conduct, and the committee’s own procedures.

AASECT Ethics Advisory Committee Members

Standing voting members, Discussant member, and Ex-officio Members.

Voting Members

  • Nick Marzo, LPC, LMHC, CPCS, CSTS, NCC, CCMHC (he/him) – Chairperson
  • Mariotta Gary-Smith, MPH, CSE (she/her)
  • Lynn Wang, MD, CSC, CSE (she/her)
  • Sheila Addison, PhD, LMFT, CST (she/her)
  • Tanisha James, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, CST (she/her)

Discussant Members (Non-voting members)

  • Christina Alkire, LCHMCA, NCC – Early Professional Member (she/her)

Ex-officio Members

  • Dr. Lexx Brown-James, PhD, LMFT, CSE, CSES – AASECT President
  • Kellie Braband – AASECT Executive Director

Overview of the EAC Ethics Process

In alignment with AASECT Bylaws, policies, and procedures:

  • The EAC reviews inquiries, concerns, and complaints that may suggest a possible violation of AASECT conduct standards.
  • These may be raised by members, AASECT officers, committees, the public, or others.
  • The EAC may review confidential or sensitive material as part of this process.
  • Members facing a complaint are entitled to notification of the complaint with sufficient facts to respond.
  • When appropriate, the EAC may verify facts before notifying a member or may omit the complainant’s name if needed.

The EAC aims to resolve most matters through:

  • Education
  • Consultation
  • Mutual agreement

If a case cannot be resolved through these efforts, the EAC may refer it to the Board of Directors for next steps.

EAC Ethics Cases Flowchart

Image on ethics flow chart

Note: This flowchart does not include other AASECT processes, such as CE related Grievances (AASECT Grievance Policy).

Instructions for Filing an Ethics Complaint

Before submitting a complaint, it is essential to determine whether the issue is an:

1. Ethics Complaint

— or —

2. Member Concern (most common)

What is a Member Concern?

A Member Concern is a situation that:

  • left you feeling uncomfortable or uncertain
  • relates to a member’s behavior, communication, or professional conduct
  • may involve questions about how you should proceed

Member Concerns often do not rise to the level of an ethics case. Member Concerns can be emailed to: ethics@aasect.org

A committee member will offer consultative support via email, phone, or video.

Instructions for Filing an Ethics Complaint

Before submitting a complaint, it is essential to determine whether the issue is an:

1. Ethics Complaint

— or —

2. Member Concern (most common)

A Member Concern is a situation that:

  • left you feeling uncomfortable or uncertain
  • relates to a member’s behavior, communication, or professional conduct
  • may involve questions about how you should proceed

Member Concerns often do not rise to the level of an ethics case. For Member Concerns reach out through our Member Concerns form

A committee member will offer consultative support via email, phone, or video.

You may file a formal Ethics Complaint if

  • you believe a member’s behavior violates AASECT’s conduct standards, and
  • you have tried to resolve the issue with the member (when appropriate), or
  • the issue is serious enough that direct filing is ethically appropriate

The EAC strongly encourages members and associated parties to resolve ethical matters directly with one another when appropriate and in accordance with AASECT’s guiding documents, laws, and regulations.

Before submitting a complaint, the EAC strongly encourages contacting the committee for an ethics consultation:

To: ethics@aasect.org

Subject line: ETHICS CONSULTATION 

A consultation helps you determine:

  • whether the issue belongs with the EAC
  • whether it should be addressed through another committee or Board process
  • how the process works
  • what documentation may be helpful

Important: The EAC does not provide legal advice. Members should seek legal counsel or other professional guidance when needed. AASECT does not arbitrate business or financial disputes.

If you have determined that your issue is an ethics complaint, please submit:

  1. A completed AASECT Ethics Complaint Form
  2. ONE attachment of supporting documentation

Fill out the: Member Concerns form