Ethics are a very important thing to consider in the field of psychology. As potential future researchers and counselors, it is critical for us to know the ethical guidelines that we must live by and practice. Without any form of ethical guidelines, there would be no sense of security or safety inside of the workplace. We would not be able to provide our clients with the professional treatment that they deserve and are paying for.
In my personal experience, I have been to two different kinds of counseling/mental health practices. Once during my junior year of high school and again during my senior year. The first time I ever attended any type of “mental health/counseling” experience was in a group setting. I went to a church
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No one wants to come to therapy with their therapist, who clearly has not showered in days, is dressed like a slob, and has a messy room. This would immediately show huge signs of unprofessionalism. This can also go along with the definition of wrong professional behavior. Respecting clients is crucial, any form of sexual contact with a client is ABSOLUTELY WRONG, rude behavior, not listening to a client, being tardy, ignoring the client’s needs, being dressed unprofessionally, and the list can go on. I think a therapist needs to be polite, they absolutely need to respect personal space boundaries, and they really need to be in the now with a client. There are certain other nit-picky things that I might say are professional or unprofessional, such as dressing professional and being structured. Some clients need a little structure in the therapeutic setting and others might benefit from having the sessions be more sporadic. In my personal experience, because of the disasters in my family life and complete unstructured design, I requested a very formal and very structured therapeutic setting, too which my therapist ignored and purposefully gave me an unstructured setting as to bring up the anxiety that I felt. This was needed for me personally and in my book, was handled extremely professionally, even if I hated it.
The EAI indicates that ethical guidelines have changed from individual character to organizational ethics (Ethics Awareness Inventory, 2011). The prime focus of this change are client-patient relationships in psychological counseling and clinical practice (Fisher, (2013). Psychological counseling and clinical practice are both constructed on ethical guidelines with the possibility for misuse of power and negligence to discretion (Fisher,
However, ethics codes have been criticized. APA ethics code have been criticized for being more protective of the profession than of the consumer (Kitchener & Anderson, 2010). Criticism has also been given because more emphasis of concern has been placed on protecting psychologists from legal liabilities than with instilling ethical ideals (Kitchener & Anderson, 2010). A limitation of ethical codes is that it does not address many important ethical concerns. The text provides an example regarding questions of justice, such as access to psychological or counseling services. This is not generally covered in ethical standards. In addition, other areas not covered include issues pertaining to the rights of consumers or research participants. For many decades focus on research for the APA has been to establish standards that are enforceable when psychologists are accused of unethical behavior. Kitchener and Anderson (2010) suggest that this focus on identifying activities that have restricted activities has distracted the APA from applying more positive ethical
In this scenario, as a psychologist I face several ethical issues. According to the American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologist and Code of Conduct there are at least six standards I have to
Boylin, J, & Scott, J. (2006). Practicum internship: textbook and resource guide for counseling and psychotherapy [Fourth Edition]. (Google E-book), Retrieved from http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Fusillo,+Maureen+C.+The+Willowbrook+State+School:+An+Oral+History.+Student+Project.+%5BS.I.+s.n.,+1994%5D.&tbo=u&tbs=bks:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=sp#sclient=psy&hl=en&tbs=bks:1&q=APA+Ethical+Principles+of+Psychologists+and+Code+of+Conduct&aq=0p&aqi=p-p2g2g-o1&aql=f&oq=&pbx=1&fp=1&cad=b
The APA ethical guidelines help to ensure that all psychological research maintains the integrity that it does not do harm or conflicts with the majority of the human populations moral ethical codes. However, in some situations the APA ethical guidelines must be viewed as just that: guidelines. If a study has the potential to benefit humanity as a whole and does not result in the permanent or irreparable harm to a human being then some guidelines must be permitted to be stretched or even broken in the interest of human advancement and scientific progression. After all the goal and responsibility of a psychologist is to enhance our understanding of human behavior as well as to find ways to use this information to better society and humanity
Ethics is considered one of the foundational blocks of mental health that counselors must use in performing their duties. Without ethics, mental health provider cannot effectively or efficiently develop a therapeutic
Yes, using ethical guidelines can help to eliminate or reduce potential ethical and legal issues from occurring. The principles you mention that practitioners strive to meet are all important, but recognizing fairness and justice caught my attention. In Principle D: Justice of the APA (2010) Ethics Code preamble, the benefits of fairness and justice are discussed. Specifically, the acknowledgement that fairness and justice apply to all persons equally, including processes, procedures, and services that psychologists use. In the APA Ethics Code (2010) Principle D: Justice, it also states how psychologists should “exercise reasonable judgement and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and
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
This psych article explains how the evolution of ethical guidelines has brought guidance for the psychologists during their studies. Authors, Morgan and Carroll say “the evolution of ethical guidelines advocates for the continuing role of psychologists in the provision of consultation to help ensure safe, legal, ethical, and effective operations” (1). This article also lists five ethical guidelines and principles that most psychologists also follow. These guidelines include beneficence and no maleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity. When it comes to beneficence and no maleficence psychologists ensure that their work minimizes any harm.
What complicates the relationship is that the therapist has only met with this client once before, and has not discussed any of the limits of confidentiality
A problem of practice at the root of the condition of inadequate anticipation is not proper preparation for handling ethical issues that may arise. A strategy to resolve psychology professionals’ incompetence is reeducation. These mental health professionals should be reeducated by a supervisor and go through additional training to prevent any future problems of incompetency. A strategy to resolve professionals’ inadequate preparation is hold weekly meetings and checkups between professionals and supervisors to address any concerns that may be present and to come up with prepared ways to address future ethical dilemma. At the root of every reason and condition concerning ethical dilemmas, there should always be a proper strategy put in place to prevent such problematic situations in the field of
Making decisions that are ethically sound within the psychology field should be based on the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct is an outline of ethics for the psychology field. There are many good purposes for having a professional ethics code in professional psychology. The ethical code has to be a requirement in order to maintain good conduct within the field.
We are going to explore the world of ethical issues in psychology. As in any medical or mental health fields there are rules we all must follow as professionals. In this essay today we will be exploring a case study where we have a young lady who has been stricken by a mental disability. We will be looking at the facts in which her disability was handled by a professional in the field of psychology. We also will be discussing the rights and wrongs that are presented in her case study. We will also be discussing the APA ethical codes and gain a clearer understanding of where some things went wrong and why shall we begin.
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct are very important guidelines in any workforce. “These guidelines serve a purpose to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of their profession” (APA, 2002). There are five major parts of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct guidelines. These parts include, Beneficence, Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, Respect for People 's Rights and Dignity. These are also known as principals that start from A, and end in E. All of these guidelines are to be obeyed when working in our chosen career.
Code of ethics act as a promise to protect and support the safety of individuals in society, supports as a leading light it help the supporters of an occupation, resolve ethical problems and act as a protector the community. A code of ethics discloses and conserves the current viewpoint professionals on in what way to make ethical decisions. It stresses importance on obligation to moral values and vital beliefs. Application of a code of ethics helps us to guarantee that members of the profession will be accountable for their actions. It helps us to learn about the responsibility we have for ourselves, our colleagues and to the social structure of the profession. It is essential that the present and future psychologist should be