Ethics of CBT

• STRENGTH:

  Avoids a chemical straightjacket

  Evidence: Gives patient control over their thoughts rather than taking drugs which control their mind

  -acknowledges role of free will + encourages patients to take control + change thoughts

  Explain: Ethical method for treating mental disorders

  -more ethical than drug treatment or DA as clients not overly reliant on therapist or something
• WEAKNESS:

  Can be seen as unethical

  Evidence: Blames individuals for the ay they think,feel and behave 

  -even when there is situational factors that contribute to their disorder

  -need to consider what is an irrational thought is

  Alloy and Abrahmson

  -sadder but wiser effect

  -depressed people see things in a more realistic way, normal people may distort things in positive way

  Explain: not as ethical due to the damage t client’s self esteem by having thoughts criticized

  -putting full responsibility in shoulders of someone already emotionally fragile

  Psychological harm is caused
• STRENGTH:

  Can be seen as empowering individuals

  Evidence: clients encouraged to realise that they can change the way they process life events

  -can change their behaviour/emotions as a result of this

  Explain: Ethically positive element

  -prevent feelings of helplessness during difficult time

  -teach ‘techniques for life’ that can be used in the future and outside of therapy
• WEAKNESS:

  Lack of voluntary consent for some vulnerable individuals

  Evidence: often CBT is used with criminals with AM + treating schizophrenic patients

  -many cases criminal offenders are required to take part as a condition of their probation

  Explain:forced participation would be against ethical code of therapists

  -CBT as a method for certain mental issues is unethical