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Importance of ethics in psychology
Ethics in counseling and why do we need it
Ethics in counseling and why do we need it
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Recommended: Importance of ethics in psychology
Ethics in Counseling In a professional counselor’s life, the counselor is responsible for creating ethical decisions for the clients they are trained to work with such as, when to break confidentiality, when to receive client’s gifts, or the correct methods to preform when treating a certain client (Wester & Hines, 2017, p. 16). In addition to ethical decisions, Wester and Hines (2017), discuss the importance in research ethics and integrity and how it has not been widely considered to the counseling professionals. The importance in ethical research practice consists of informed consent, ensuring the proper treatment for particular clients, to assure the clients anonymity in data, guide professional judgments, and help with the decision-making …show more content…
Indeed, the ACA is filled with important ethical principles that counselors adhere too. One important principle is for counselors to be apprehensive of “Accurate Results”. This section makes sure the counselors are planning, conducting, and reporting research accurately (American Counseling Association, 2014, p. 15). The second ethical principle is “Research Records Custodian”. For this principle, it is important for the researcher to prepare a custodian plan when transferring information (p.16). The third principle is “Confidentiality in Research”. This principle states that professionals are responsible for obeying state, federal, and institutional research policies towards confidentiality (p. 15). As a final thought, these are only three important ethical standards that aide professional counselors in advocating a healthier society (ACA, …show more content…
Although, high school students and undergraduates should be enrolled in more research based courses to learn more about author identity/plagiarism. Elander et al. (2010) explain, students who establish low identity can be at risk for unintentional plagiarism (p.157). In this qualitative study, serval student interviews had strong views about cheating, however did not understand what plagiarism was (p. 157-158). With regards to this, it would be favorable to offer more requirement courses in creating proper research study papers. In these research courses, the student will go step by step on how to properly cite their information and learn how to correctly paraphrase. These courses will be required for high school seniors and freshmen undergraduates. The intentions of these courses will be to gain the correct writing skills for future research. Even more, the Publication Manual of the American Psychology Association (APA) was created to help researchers in ways to follow the rules of scholarly writing such as, reducing bias in language, ethics of duplicate publication, and word choices/paraphrasing (American Psychological Association, 2010, p.10). In conclusion, these preferences will guide professionals in appropriately disclosing their research and avoiding
American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf
This book provides readers within the mental health professions with a comprehensive look on both the theoretical as well as practical aspects of providing sound, ethical care to individuals which seek their help. Becoming an ethical helping professional challenge and encourage students and professionals when making ethical choices as a helping professional to consider both the process and the content of the decision. The book is comprised of thirteen chapters which are subdivided into three sections. Section one looks at the foundation where chapter contents include; counseling ethics and the big picture and philosophical and culture: roots and prism. Section two focuses on the day to day challenges common to all and includes confidentiality, trust and boundaries, roles and limits. Section three on the other hand, entails specific specialties and professional identities where chapter titles include counseling in schools, teaching mentoring and supervision. Each chapter is supplemented with a pause for reflection section and concludes with a wrap up section. The book ends with an epilogue, references, and appendix, author and subject index sections respectively.
There is the need to shift from the traditional seeing of plagiarism on essays, reports from a single site that uses one research method only, and professors offering various recommendations; to an era where scholarly materials on plagiarism gives more insight and persuasive enough and significant to both compositionists and people in and outside the academy. In spite, all the challenges in trying to maintain academic integrity, the major and critical factor that can lead to its achievement is; if everyone develops ethical writing skills.
The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014) states that counselors must respect a client’s confidentiality and can only disclose information about a client if there is a signed consent, legal requirement, or ethical requirement. A counselor must explain confidentiality to the client in a manner that the client will understand. The counselor must also explain the limits to confidentiality such as “serious and foreseeable harm and legal requirements” (ACA, 2014, p. 7). If a client identifies the desire to hurt themselves or someone else during a counseling session, then the counselor can break confidentiality to report to authorities. The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) suggests that a counselor consult with other professionals
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...
108). Confidentiality has a dedicated section in the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), and particularly noted in code B.1.c, which reads, “counselors protect the confidential information of prospective and current clients. Counselors disclose information only with appropriate consent or with sound legal or ethical justification,” (p. 7). Rightfully so, confidentiality is a right of all counseling clients and importance is placed on it in professional ethical
In a secular environment confronting sin as a Christian counselor may be thought-provoking. Ethical standards for practice is essential for the Christian counselor that’s stated week eights presentation. Christian counselor should consider the worst possible case scenario, not be negative, but aware. The scripture used in the ethical standard of practice was “be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Ethical standards, n.d.). McMinn also shared that Christian counselors find themselves caught in the middle of the secular and Christian worldviews and each prefers a different attributional style (McMinn, 161).
The first ethical responsibility will be the welfare of the client. As a counselor, we are not supposed to misuse the results and interpretations. We must also be responsible and take proper steps to prevent others from misusing the information provided. We must respect the client’s rights to know the results and interpretation made.
The second ethical assumption is fidelity and its purpose for the therapist is to establish and maintain trust with the client. Maintaining trust as a therapist can at times be difficult because they have to keep any promises made to the client and it can be difficult particularly when keeping a client’s privacy. Without establishing and maintaining trust, it would be extremely difficult to conduct effective therapy with clients. This is why this particular assumption is so important among therapeutic relationships, because without it therapy is ineffective. By keeping trust and providing privacy for clients, it provides a foundation for the relationship in the session and with their conversations unless given permission by the client to share their conversation it must otherwise be kept only between therapist and client. The client’s right to privacy is also established in laws through existing HIPAA guidelines and requirements for therapist.
Ethics in the counselling and psychotherapy protects the client and the therapist involved in the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process as a whole; with the concepts that act as a guide for the therapists in provision of good practice and care for the client. The framework is built on values of counselling and psychotherapy; principles of trustworthiness, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect, and provides standards of good practice and care for the practitioner (BACP, 2010). Ethical framework contributes to the development of the therapeutic relationship and process by assisting therapist’s decisions, and guides their behaviour and proceedings within their legal rights and duties. The ethical frame is structured on the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and the therapists should be aware of their categories and be responsible for their forms. Monitoring and being aware of what goes on in and out of the room physically, emotionally and psychologically is primarily the duty of the therapist.
There will be times when we, as counselors, face the challenge that is an ethical dilemma. When deciding how to manage these types of situations, there are ethical, legal and moral considerations. The American Counseling Association has established the ethical guidelines for counselors. The legal obligations counselors must adhere to are established by the federal government and state legislation. Moral principles that counselors reflect upon being autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). The balancing act of these three elements is essential in the ethical decision making process.
In conclusion, it is vital that ethical guidelines are followed as far as possible when conducting psychological research. Although psychologists have a responsibility to protect participants they also have an obligation to pursue and share knowledge that will benefit humanity. In some cases, the breach of ethical standards has been necessary to advance the understanding of humans and human behaviour. Overall, psychologists must evaluate the potential benefits against the potential costs of the research and decide whether the means justifies the ends.
As students of high school and college, and even in the professional world, we are asked to research and write on subjects that are seen to be important. The research that we are asked to do, has been done many times in the past, which means people are bound to use others’ ideas and words with no recognition, sometimes without even knowing it. This leads to plagiarism, which is something many people have heard of, but never learned the true definition and the harm it can create. Schools and society need to be more proactive in explaining what plagiarism is, how to write correctly in order to prevent it, and teach the consequences plagiarism has.
One aspect I found striking was the role of advice giving in counseling. Prior to this class, I knew that counselors did not typically give opinions or advice to lead a client in a certain direction. What I did not know was the entire reasoning behind this. A counselor might avoid giving advice so that a client learns to make his/her own decisions, does not become dependent on the counselor, and to ensure that a client will not later blame the counselor if the counselor’s advice did not turn out well. In this context, I have a better appreciation and understanding of why therapists refrain from telling the client what to do.
APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct have established regulations to guide psychologist in conducting ethical behavior, while protecting their clients. However, ethical standards doe not state the consequences of an action. APA ethical principle C discusses the psychologist need for integrity. The psychologist is compromising this principle because he not promoting honest, and truthfulness in the science, teaching,...