The purpose of this article “was to add qualitative data to the sparsely researched issue of psychotherapists’ sexual contact with adult patients begun after the termination of treatment”
(Shavit & Bucky, 2004, p. 231). This was completed via semi-structured interviews, which helped the authors analyze the opinions of psychologists regarding this topic. This study aimed to answer the following questions in regards to sexual contact between therapists and their previous clients: 1.) was sexual involvement with former patients viewed as ethical?, 2.) did sexual involvement with former patients potentially harm the patient?, 3.) was there a professional responsibility to be upheld by therapist post-treatment?, and 4.) should Standard
4.07 of the APA Ethics Code (1992) be re-written to prohibit any sexual involvement between a therapist and their former clients (Shavit & Bucky, 2004)? In this article, the authors studied post-termination sexual involvement, Standard 4.07 of the APA Ethics Code (1992), psychoanalytic therapy, impact on the client as a result of sexual contact with therapist, transference, countertransference, two-year waiting period post treatment, nature and length of treatment, and ethical standards (Shavit & Bucky, 2004). The effects of these variables on each other were examined in order to gather a consensus of psychologist’s opinions regarding sexual contact with former patients. In regards to the author’s hypotheses, Shavit and Bucky (2004) did not generate any hypotheses in this study; as this study aimed to elicit the participant’s opinions regarding sexual contact between psychologists and their former patients. The authors also aimed to determine whether or not the results of this study co...
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... and their former clients. However, the finding that potential harm could occur when post-termination sexual interactions develop, suggests therapists are aware of the detrimental effects this act could have on clients. In addition, the lack of consensus on this topic suggests more research is needed, in order to determine practitioners views on this topic, as well as to determine whether or not Standard 4.07 of the APA Ethics
Code (1992) is too liberal or too harsh. Lastly, the results of further research will help determine whether or not the two-year waiting period to engage in sexual contact with former clients is necessary. Works Cited
Shavit, N., & Bucky, S. (2004). Sexual contact between psychologists and their former therapy patients: Psychoanalytic perspectives and professional implications. The American
Journal of Psychoanalysis, 64, 229-248.
It is important as a professional health care provider to have guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards to obey when providing care to the public. The ACA is to improve the quality of professional counselors in the community with education, knowledge, and guidelines by providing an ACA Code of Ethics standard when delivering treatment toward a clientele (American Counseling Association, 2015). One particular part of the ACA mission that is essential, is the ACA Code of Ethics. The purpose of the ACA Code of Ethics is a guide to ensure counselors in training and professional counselors understand the ethical obligations toward clients, possible grievances for conduct unbecoming, and professional responsibilities, which supports the ACA
American Psychological Association (APA). (2002). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060-1073.
According to Allison L. Kramer (2016) in her “Why we can’t be friends” article, researches have observed numerous relationships between psychotherapists and their present and/ or previous clients. Boundary issues have been studied in the world of ethics and dual-role relationships with current clients are ordinary for some practitioners in their daily practice. Meaning it isn’t rare to run into dual relationships in counseling. These relationships aren’t always negative nor avoidable states Kramer. The example she used for dual-role relationships being advantageous and unavoidable was a school guidance counselor having multiple roles in the school. The counselor could also be “a coach of a sports team, thus filling both a counselor and
American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf
Introduction: You are being asked to join in a research study. Please consider participating. Please ask any questions if you are not sure. Your involvement is voluntary.
While her therapist helps her with her father, the therapist unintentionally improves her relationship with her husband. At Southeastern Louisiana University’s common read, Smith explains, “I think I was able to meet him [her husband] because I cleared up a lot of silly stuff through therapy” (Smith). This confirmation allows the reader to receive a higher understanding of the effect therapy impacted Tracy K. Smith.
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...
The authors of this article have outlined the purpose, aims, and objectives of the study. It also provides the methods used which is quantitative approach to collect the data, the results, conclusion of the study. It is important that the author should present the essential components of the study in the abstract because the abstract may be the only section that is read by readers to decide if the study is useful or not or to continue reading (Coughlan, Cronin, and Ryan, 2007; Ingham-Broomfield, 2008 p.104; Stockhausen and Conrick, 2002; Nieswiadomy, 2008 p.380).
...obert J.. Ethics and regulation of clinical research. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1986. Print.
...the data did not involve member checking thus reducing its robustness and enable to exclude researcher’s bias. Although a constant comparative method was evident in the discussion which improved the plausibility of the final findings. Themes identified were well corroborated but not declared was anytime a point of theoretical saturation Thus, the published report was found to be particularly strong in the area of believability and dependability; less strong in the area of transferability; and is weak in the area of credibility and confirmability, although, editorial limitations can be a barrier in providing a detailed account (Craig & Smyth, 2007; Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007).
In order to come to a conclusion, a general trend was obtained from the questionnaire results and then combined with sources written by reputable professors and medical doctors.
...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).
The primary weakness of the APA is that it only applies to professional conduct and not private life. According to Pipes, Holstein, and Aguirre (2005), "APA codes apply within their role as psychologists...they may, with impunity from the Code, demean individuals of a particular gender or a particular religion with whom they interact only on a personal basis" (p. 326). While the APA has enforceable standards, the preamble and general principles are aspirational and seek to create individuals whose professional character will successfully integrate into their personal lives. For example, Jenny 's consultation with Rhonda went from a professional consultation to a gossip session on other issues within organization; when they failed "to guard against personal, financial, social, organizational or political factors" (APA, 2010) that might influence their ability to objectively resolve the present ethical dilemma. While the APA provide ethical principles and a professional code of conduct provide a foundation for resolving ethical dilemmas, it is not exhaustive and individuals should seek and use other models to help them resolve their ethical dilemmas, such as the eight-step decision
Sexual relationships between counselors and clients should never ben permitted due to the power associated with the counselor’s role with clients. While ethical guidelines vary between different counseling associations as to whether it is acceptable for counselors to have sexual relationships with clients after the professional relationship has ended, in many cases these relationships continue to be prohibited. This standard is held because some believe that the powe...
I will take note of the five recommendations APA's Science Directorate gives to help researchers uphold ethical research standards which include: