This document presents a review of the literature on salient ethical issues in marriage and family counseling. Issues addressed in the paper include: (1) defining the client and the welfare and rights of individuals versus those of the family system; (2) issues of informed consent and manipulative therapeutic interventions; (3) issues related to family members who decline to participate in treatment; (4) confidentiality, including dealing with family secrets and child abuse; (5) the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Third Edition-Revised); and (6) differing counselor and family values. Two ethical decision-making models are presented along with their applicability to marriage and family counseling. Finally, the implications for marriage and family counselor training are discussed. It is noted that counseling programs have traditionally focused on individual and group counseling theories, techniques, and practice, and that as more training programs offer marriage and family coursework and specialization, more emphasis may need to be given to ethical issues unique to this area. (NB)