Question

Imagine that you are a mental health counselor. Based on the American Psychological Association’s Code of Conduct, what ethical guidelines do you think need to be considered when diagnosing and treating a client? What ethical guidelines need to be considered when determining whether a client would be considered competent to stand trial or committed to an institution?

Answer 1

The mental health counselors play a key role in developing individuals and shaping communities. Counselors help maintain and cultivate relationships, monitoring cients well-being and working with different cultural values and confidential informations. Ethics are an important concern in the field of psychology especially when it comes to working with clients and conducting psychological research. The American Psychological Association Code of Conduct provides the basic guidance for professionls working in the field of psychology so that they are better equipped with the knowledge of what to do when they encounter some type of moral or ethical dilemma. The APA outlines aspirational principles as well as enforceable standards that psychologists should use when making decisions. The code of ethics is composed of key principles and ethical standards. The principles are intended as a guide to help inspire counselors as they work in their profession, whether they are working in mental health, in research, or in business. The standards, on the other hand are expectations of conduct that can lead to professional and lefal ramificatons when violated. Below are some standards found in the APA ethics code which are enforceable rules of conduct for psychologists working in clinical practice. These standards tend to be broad in order to help guide the behaviors of psychologists across a wide variety of domains and situations.

1) RESOLVING ETHICAL ISSUES

This standard of the APA ethics code provides information about what psychologists shoeld do to resolve ethical situations they may encounter in their work. this includes advice for what researchers should do when their work is misrepresented and when to report ethical violations.

2) COMPETENCE

It is important that psychologists practice within their area of expertise. When treating clients or working with the public, psychologists must make it clear what they are trained to do as well as what they are not trained to do. this standard stipulates that in an emergency situation, professionals may provde services even if it falls outside the scope of their practice in order to ensure that access to services is provied.

3) HUMAN RELATIONS

Psychologists frequently work with a team of other mental health professionals. This standard of the ethics code is designed to guide psychologists in their interactions with other professional in the field. This includes guidelines related to dealing with sexual harassment, discrimination, avoiding harm during treatment, and avoiding exploitative relationships (such as having a sexual relationship with a student or subordinate).

4) PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

This standard outlines psychologists’ responsibilities with regards to maintaining patient confidentiality. Psychologists are obligated to take reasonable precautions to keep client information private. However, the APA also notes that there are limitations to confidentiality.

5) ADVERTISING AND OTHER PUBLIC STATEMENTS

Psychologists who advertise their services must ensure that they accurately depict their training, experience, and expertise. They also need to avoid marketing statements that are deceptive or false. This also applies to how psychologists are portrayed by the media when providing their expertise or opinion in articles, blogs, books, or television programs.

6) RECORD KEEPING AND FEES

Maintaining accurate records is an important part of a psychologist’s work, whether the individual is working in research or with patients. Patient records include case notes and other diagnostic assessments used in the course of treatment. In terms of research, record keeping involves detailing how studies were performed and the procedures that were used. This allows other researchers to assess the research and ensures that the study can be replicated.

7) EDUCATION AND TRAINING

This standard focuses on expectations for behavior when psychologists are teaching or training students. When creating courses and programs to train other psychologists and mental health professionals, current and accurate evidence-based research should be used.

8) THERAPY

This standard outlines professional expectations within the context of providing therapy. Areas that are addressed include the importance of obtaining informed consent and explaining the treatment process to clients. Confidentiality is addressed, as well as some of the limitations to confidentiality, such as when a client poses an immediate danger to himself or others.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Key Ethical Issues

Client Welfare: Due to the role they serve, psychologists often work with individuals who are vulnerable due to their age, disability, intellectual ability, and other concerns. When working with these individuals, psychologists must always strive to protect the welfare of their clients.

Informed consent: Psychologists are responsible for providing a wide range of services in their roles as therapists, researchers, educators, and consultants. When people are acting as consumers of psychological services, they have a right to know what to expect. In therapy, obtaining informed consent involves explaining what services are offered, what the possible risks might be, and the patient’s right to leave treatment. When conducting research, informed consent involves letting participants know about any possible risks of taking part in the research.

Confidentiality: Therapy requires providing a safe place for clients to discuss highly personal issues without fear of having this information shared with others or made public. However, sometimes a psychologist might need to share some details such as when consulting with other professionals or when they are publishing research. Ethical guidelines dictate when and how some information might be shared, as well as some of the steps that psychologists should take to protect client privacy.

Competence: The training, education, and experience of psychologists is also an important ethical concern. Psychologists must possess the skill and knowledge to properly provide the services that clients need. For example, if a psychologist needs to administer a particular assessment in the course of treatment, they should have an understanding of both the administration and interpretation of that specific test.