The ethical behavior of counselors is an issue of current importance to those in the profession. This paper briefly examines the literature in this area. While considerable descriptive research on ethical behavior exists, the conspicuous absence of any experimental methodologies and theoretically-based investigations were noted. The need for new research directions is emphasized together with a theoretical conceptualization from which to investigate ethical behavior. Research is presented to support the conceptualization. The results provide support for the formulations of counselor ethical behavior. Implications for new directions in theoretically-based research as well as counselor training in the ethical decision making process are discussed. (Author)