The challenge posed to progressive community support services by traditional codes of professional ethics is compounded by developments in current mental health service delivery including the changing nature of community support services, partnership and empowerment in helping relationships, social and community integration as a desired service outcome, and consumers as colleagues in the mental health work force. There are important distinctions between the concepts of ethics, rights, and boundaries. Common dilemmas in relationship boundaries include issues related to power, professional distance, reciprocity in relationships, and self-disclosure. Principles in ethical standards in community support services include beneficence, non-malfeasance, autonomy, fairness, veracity, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and competence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)