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Four primary ethical principles in psychology
4 ethical issues
Four primary ethical principles in psychology
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In a national survey exploring the significant ethical challenges and dilemmas faced by helping professionals, respondents ranked “blurred, dual or conflictual relationships” among the most difficult to navigate in their day to day practice (Barnett, Et Al., p. 401). Dual relationships, also commonly referred to as multiple or nonprofessional relationships, are defined in the American Psychological Association’s ethics code as “ones in which a practitioner is in a professional role with a person in addition to another role with the same individual, or with another person who is close to that individual” (Corey, Corey & Callahan, p. 268). While any relationship occurring simultaneous to the therapeutic one has the potential to be harmful, the only relationships extensively studied in this regard have been those of a sexual nature. Most agree that such sexual relationships are unethical, resulting in boundary violations that are both harmful and exploitative to the client. Both ethical and legal ramifications exist to address this issue including revocation of one’s license to practice and both criminal and civil sanctions.
However, continued debate regarding the benefit of nonsexual multiple relationships to the therapeutic process is ongoing. Historically, there was an outright ban on engaging in such relationships. Opponents argued that due to the inevitable power imbalance existing in the therapeutic process, exploitation and harm to the client would undoubtedly be the result. Professional boundaries were enforced to prevent compromise to the level of care received and crossing such boundaries was unanimously discouraged (Nickel, p.17).
However, in more recent years, there has been a shift in the ethical code...
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...ould be signed. Finally and perhaps most importantly, thoroughly document every step of the process taken to reach your decision. This can prove to be advantageous particularly if the practitioner is accused of malpractice.
References
Nickel, M.B. (2004). Professional boundaries: The dilemma of dual and multiple relationships in rural clinical practice. Counseling and Clinical Psychology Journal, 1(1), 17-22.
Barnett, J.E., Lazarus, A.A., Vasquez, M.J.T., Moorehead-Slaughter, O. and Johnson, W.B. (2007). Boundary issues and multiple relationships: Fantasy and reality. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38(4), 401-410.
Corey, G., Corey, M.S. & Callahan, P. (2007). Managing boundaries and multiple relationships. In Brooks/Cole (8th Ed.), Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions pp. 266-321.
Sexual relationships with previous client, resident, patient, consumers are considered dual relationships and are addressed in Statement 6 (above). He might be falling for a client which may lead to a sexual relationship. For obvious reasons it will not be in the best interest of client in helping with their problems. Judgment, reasoning, and responsibility to his client is compromised.
According to Guideline 1.06 (a) In many communities and situations, it may not be feasible or reasonable for behavior analysts to avoid social or other non-professional contacts with persons such as clients, students, supervisees, or research participants. Behavior analysts must always be sensitive to the potential harmful effects of other contacts on their work and on those persons with whom they deal (Bailey & Burch, 2011, p. 65) A situation in which a behavior analyst faced the possible development of a dual relationship will be presented, as well as the steps that were taken in an attempt to avoid it. Guideline 1.0 Responsible Conduct of A Behavior Analyst states that the behavior analyst maintains the high standards of professional behavior of the professional organization. In our assigned text, Bailey and Burch specify that you should strive to avoid social contacts with your clients because it might interfere with your objectivity as a behavior analyst (2011) in regard to Guideline 1.06 Dual Relationships and Conflicts of
In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical circumstance. For example, if you were practicing mental health professional and had a friend who’s a licensed psychologist, who is invited to attend the wedding of a patient that she has been seeing in court-ordered therapy for a year; what advice would you give your friend?
The article “Managing boundaries under pressure: A qualitative study of therapists’ experiences of sexual attraction in therapy” states that throughout a lifetime of practice, many therapists don’t cross boundaries and the relationship is strictly professional. That leads to the questions about what strategies they use to help them during difficult situations where boundaries could be crosses. (Martin, Godfrey, Meekums, & Madill
The field of clinical mental health is one of great reward, but also one of grave responsibility. It is the duty of the counselor to provide the client with a safe environment and an open mind, in order to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship. The majority of mental health counselors would never intentionally harm their clients; however; good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong will not occur. The ethical expectations and boundaries are regulated by both laws and professional codes. When discussing ethics, one must realize there are two categories, mandatory and aspirational. (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007)
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. (8th
A counselor should always keep their thoughts to themselves and remain open-minded about the situation. The only time a counselor should share their thoughts is if it helps the client with their situation that they are dealing with. “Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence (Standard C.2.a.), and, if they “determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients” (Standard A.11.b.), they should facilitate a referral to another provider. (Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing Value-Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision-Making Model. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186 7p. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x).” Keeping your thoughts to yourself is
Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be happening in a counseling setting and serves to inform the client to their rights, responsibilities, and what to expect. Most importantly, the informed consent is in place for the client’s benefit. It also is important to understand that culture and environment play a role in the treatment of a client and how theories can positively or negatively impact this treatment. Therapists need to understand how to work within the context of a theory while being able to understand the individual in their own environment. Although theories are put into place to serve as a framework, there are also alternative ways to approach counseling, one example being evidence-based practice. Such an approach is very specific, which presents a series of solutions for counseling as a whole, but also brings forth many problems. Every approach or theory introduces ethical concerns that need to be taken into consideration by the entire counseling community and how each can positively and negatively affect clients and the pr...
Wade, C. E., Cameron, B. A., Morgan, K., & Williams, K. C. (2011). Are interpersonal
The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of my work as a co-therapist during the fifth conjoint session with the simulated couple; Katy and Michelle. I will discuss our therapy agenda and the goals we hoped to attain during the session. It is prudent to begin by giving a brief outline of the couple’s presenting problem and the patterns of dysfunction that I have identified within their relationship. In my opinion, it is the therapist’s job to recognize patterns and behaviors that disrupt the intimate bond between the partners. It is also important to recognize that it is vital that therapists remain self-aware and avoid judgments based upon their own understanding. This session is my first opportunity to work with a same sex couple and to see therapy unfold over the span of the quarter.
“Dual or multiple relationships” is a second relationship that arises between two individuals who are currently or were previously relating with each other in a professional social worker to client manner. In my understanding, it is a relationship that is outside what is intended, and goes beyond to break professional boundaries that formerly existed between two people who may have same or different professionals. In view of the ethical values, dual relationship includes factors such as; bartering for goods and, or services; providing therapy to a relative or a relative of a friend; socializing with clients; and lastly, becoming emotionally attached to or involved with the client or former client
Dr.Lightfoot ethical alternatives for resolving this case are accepting Allison as a client or declining Allison as a client. The best alternative is to decline Allison as a client but refer her to another psychologist because of the possible dual relationship. Utilitarian theory guided me in my decision.
...f dual relationship there was also a possibility of the client becoming dependant on the therapist which could be seen as unethical by the BACP (2010).
According to Syne (2006), a dual relationship occurs when people take on multiple roles in their relationships with other people. While dual relationships exists in many different aspects of our society, dual relationships between a client and counselor bring a host of challenges and opportunities for the client and counselor from an ethical standpoint. Nigro and Uhlemann (2004) explain that because of the challenges presented by dual relationships, many counselors work to avoid and prohibit them. But from an ethical standpoint, such relationships do not always negatively impact clients. As a result, dual relationships tend to be one of the top ethical dilemmas reported by therapists.
In this case, the psychologist is presented with several ethical issues which could cause harm to the client. The first ethical issue that arose in this case is the potential for a role conflict. The psychologist and Mr. Hartwig had contact prior to the development of a therapeutic relationship when the psychologist bought a car from Mr. Hartwig. It may not be enough that the brief, informal relationship ended. The psychologist must assess the dimensions of the previous relationship from the viewpoint of the client as well as his/her own personal feelings (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). For example, the client could feel that he gave the psychologist a good deal and that the psychologist was indebted to him. This could leave the psychologist vulnerable to being manipulated by the client. Or, what if the car broke down? This could leave the psychologist feeling cheated and resulted in hostile feelings toward the client. The psychologist has an ethical responsibility to examine both relationships for role incompatibility prior to forming a therapeutic relationship. The psychologist seemed to be aware that there was the potential role conflict resulting from their initial meeting, and he acted ethically by attempting to refer Mr. Hartwig to a Psychology Registry.