Ethical, effective counseling meets these standards:

• It makes sense.
  
  
• It deals with the here and now.
  
  
• You do not have to go to meetings every day.
  
  
• You overcome the addiction and get on with your life.
  
  
• The people advising you practice their own advice.
  
  
• When you apply the advice given to you, it works.
  
  
• You are not pushed.
  
  
• The counseling is tailored to fit your specific needs.
  
  
• You are able to maintain your privacy without having to confess in front of groups of strangers.
  
  
• Your counselor does not pry where he or she doesn't belong.
  
  
• Your counselor does not create a dependent relationship.
  
  
• Your counselor listens carefully and understands you.
  
  
• Your counselor does not make passes at you.
  
  
• Everything you do in the counseling is a result of your choice, your timing and your needs.
  
  

The real-life application of these standards is demonstrated in The Most Personal Addiction