ethics intro

• The role of therapists involves addressing a wide array of clinical and relational issues, aiming to promote individual welfare.
• Dilemmas are based on 1. Novelty-new situations 2. Limited experience 3. Negligence and lack of forethought 4. Nature of work as practitioners
• External factors that influence decision making include 1. laws 2. code of ethics 3. system policies 4. consultation 5. supervision 6. professional development
• Multiple codes of ethics can be counterproductive, suggesting the need for a unified code to streamline ethical obligations.
• Limitations of ethics codes 1. Clients may not have the knowledge to determine if the therapist is practicing ethically
• limitations to ethics codes: 2. Ethics codes are meant to protect professionals much more than clients
• Limitations of ethics codes: 3. Conflicts can arise between ethics codes and organizational codes and institutional policies and practices
• Limitations of ethics codes: 3. Conflicts can arise between ethics codes and organizational codes and institutional policies and practices
• Limitations of ethics codes: 4. Practitioners who belong to multiple organizations must navigate different sets of rules and standards
• Ethical dilemmas occur when there is no clear right or wrong answer, and practitioners must weigh competing values and principles to make decisions.
• The process of resolving an ethical dilemma involves identifying the problem, gathering information, considering alternatives, evaluating consequences, choosing a course of action, implementing it, and reflecting on the outcome.
• Limitations of ethics codes: 5. Ethics codes tend to be reactive rather than proactive
• Limitations of ethics codes: 6. Codes need to be understood within a cultural framework hence the need to adapt them to specific cultures
• Limitations of ethics codes: 7. Not all members agree with all proposed standards
• Limitations of ethics codes: 8. A practitioners personal values may conflict with a specific standard within an ethics code
• Codes of ethics aim to educate professionals, promote accountability, and improve practice standards.
• Purpose of codes of ethics: ● Safeguard the public ● Guide professionals in their work so that they can provide the best service possible. ● Have a reasonable rationale for your course of action when you choosing not to follow any ethical code. ● There are consequences for violating the codes of your profession
• Standards, such as codes of ethics, offer guidance but may not provide explicit instructions for every situation.
• -Ethical issues are regulated by both the law and professional codes.
• -Laws define the minimum standards society will tolerate and enforced by governments e.g. road safety
• When conflicts arise between the law and ethical standards, practitioners are advised to comply with the law while aligning as closely as possible with ethical principles.
• Ethics committees within these organizations oversee member conduct and protect the public from unethical practices through education and enforcement
• Principle of beneficence and non maleficence (do no harm)
• Ethics: Standards that guide the practice of counseling and psychology based on ethical principles:
• Principle of fidelity (keep the promise)
• Principle of Justice (be fair)
• Principal of integrity (be honest)
• Principle of respect for one’s rights (do not discriminate)
• Law: Defines the minimum standards society will tolerate and is enforced by government
• Ethics: Represents the ideal standards set and is enforced by professional associations
• Major duties of regulating boards are to: ● determine standards for admission into profession ● screen applicants applying for certification or licensure ● regulate the practice of psychotherapy for the public good ● conduct disciplinary proceedings involving violations of standards
• Values: Beliefs and attitudes that provide direction to everyday living
• Ethics : Moral principles adopted by an individual or group to provide rules for right conduct
• Morality: Our perspectives of right and proper conduct
• Mandatory ethics: Counselors comply with minimal standards, acknowledging the basic “musts” and “must nots”. Providing informed consent to clients
• Aspirational ethics: The highest professional standards of conduct to which counselors can aspire. Related to positive ethics. Providing services pro bono for those in need
• Autonomy: To promote self-determination
• Nonmaleficence: To avoid doing harm
• Beneficence: To do good for others and promote the well-being of clients
• Justice: To be fair by giving equally to others and to treat others justly