Ethical Dilemmas In Psychotherapy

New and experienced psychotherapists alike can find themselves overwhelmed by an ethical quandary where there doesn't seem to be an easy solution. This book presents positive ethics as a means to overcome such ethical challenges. The positive approach focuses on not just avoiding negative consequences, but reaching the best possible outcomes for both the psychotherapist and the client. The authors outline a clear decision-making process that is based on three practical strategies: the ethics acculturation model to help therapists incorporate personal ethics into their professional roles, the quality enhancement model for dealing with high-risk patients who are potentially harmful, and ethical choice-making strategies to make the most ethical decision in a situation where two ethical principles conflict. Throughout the decision-making process, psychotherapists are encouraged to follow four basic guidelines: Focus on overarching ethical principles Consider intuitive, emotional, and other nonrational factors Accept that some problems have elusive solutions Solicit input from colleagues and consultation groups Numerous vignettes illustrate how to apply positive ethics to many different ethical challenges that psychotherapists will likely encounter in practice.

This edited volume comprehensively examines the critical ethical challenges that arise in the practice of counselling and psychotherapy. It translates philosophical positions and professional ethical guidelines in a way that can be applied to practice. The various chapters focus on specific ethical issues that emerge in working with a range of different client groups; for example, children, couples and families. While some ethical imperatives are common across the board, others could be more closely associated with certain client groups. Practitioners might experience uncertainty in working with vulnerable client groups; for example, lesbian/gay/transgender/intersex (LGBT) clients, or persons who report intimate partner violence. Several chapters raise questions, provide information and additional resources to enhance ethically informed practice. Chapter contributions also highlight the ethical dilemmas that might be unique to certain contexts; for example, private practice, schools and consultation-liaison settings. This volume also addresses contemporary and relatively less understood playing fields like ‘digital ethics’ related to therapist-client interface in the internet space and the navigation of ethical dilemmas in the newly emerging field of employee assistance programmes which address mental health needs in the corporate sector. Written by experienced practitioners of psychotherapy, and culturally contextualized, this is a valuable resource for academics and practitioners interested in psychotherapy and counselling.

Praise for Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Fourth Edition "A stunningly good book. . . . If there is only one book you buy on ethics, this is the one." —David H. Barlow, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Boston University "The Fourth Edition continues to be the gold standard. . . . a must-read in every counseling/therapy training program. It is that good and valuable." —Derald Wing Sue, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University "A must-have for therapists at every step of their career from student to wise elder." —Bonnie Strickland, PhD, former president, American Psychological Association "This Fourth Edition of the best book in its field has much timely new material. . . . A brilliant addition is an exploration of how reasonable people can conscientiously follow the same ethical principles yet reach different conclusions . . . an essential sourcebook." —Patrick O'Neill, PhD, former president, Canadian Psychological Association "Essential for all practicing mental health professionals and students." —Nadine Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, President, American Board of Professional Psychology "I particularly enjoyed the chapter on ethical practice in the electronic world, which was informative even to this highly tech-savvy psychologist. The chapter on responses to the interrogations issue is destined to be a classic. . . . Bravo! Mandatory reading." —Laura Brown, PhD, ABPP, 2010 President, APA Division of Trauma Psychology "There's no better resource to have at your fingertips." —Eric Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP, former chair, APA Committee on Professional Practice and Standards and APA Committee on Legal Issues "Two of psychology's national treasures, Drs. Ken Pope and Melba Vasquez walk the walk of psychotherapy ethics. Simply the best book in its genre." —John Norcross, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Fellow, University of Scranton

Focuses on the nuances of ethical and legal standards across disciplines Completely revised and updated to reflect the new 2014 ACA Code of Ethics and current ethics codes in psychology, social work, and marriage and family therapy. This unparalleled text guides helping professionals in the use of ethical decision-making processes as the foundation for ethical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy. The book focuses on ethical and legal challenges and standards across multiple professions emphasizing counseling, and including the professions of psychology, social work, and marriage and family therapy. It not only identifies relevant ethical issues in clinical mental health, rehabilitation, group, school, addictions counseling, and career counseling, it also addresses couple and family therapy, clinical supervision, and forensics. The text illuminates the particular application of ethical standards within each specialty. The book features five new sections that clearly define how ethical standards are interpreted and applied: Privacy, Confidentiality, and Privileged Communication; Informed Consent; Roles and Relationships with Clients; Professional Responsibility; and Counselor Competency. Under the umbrella of each broad topic, the particular nuances of ethical standards within each specialty are analyzed to facilitate comparison across all specialties and settings. The text also addresses current issues in office and administrative practices, technology, and forensic practice that are crucial to school, clinical, and private practice settings. Compelling case studies illustrate the connection between ethical decision-making models and ethical practice. Learning objectives, a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, and a robust ancillary package for educators contribute to the fourth edition's value for use in upper-level undergraduate and graduate classrooms. New to the Fourth Edition: Comprehensive reorganization and reconceptualization of content Reflects new 2014 ACA Code of Ethics Includes five new chapters on Privacy, Confidentiality, and Privileged Communication; Informed Consent; Roles and Relationships with Clients; Professional Responsibility; and Counselor Competency. Emphasizes specialty practice organized by professional standards Facilitates comparison of standards across disciplines Addresses new issues in office, administrative, technology, and forensic practice Key Features: Delivers an unequaled overview of ethical decision-making in counseling and psychotherapy Defines how ethical standards are interpreted and applied in specialty practice Describes how to avoid, address, and solve serious ethical and legal dilemmas Includes learning objectives, case studies, and scholarly literature reviews Offers robust ancillary package with Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, and Power Point Slides

The author addresses the kinds of questions a novice therapist would ask, such as: When should I shift from an exploratory mode of treatment to more active behavioral intervention? Am I identifying too much with this patient's life? Questions like these are typical dilemmas facing most psychotherapists each day. The author explores how typical dilemmas are managed, including those that are unique to specific orientations, those related to specific aspects of the therapeutic process, and those that arise in working with particular client groups, such as families and couples.

The ethics book no psychology student or professional should be without Thoroughly updated and expanded to include recent research findings, landmark legal decisions, the Hoffman Investigation Report, and changes in the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association, the new 5th edition of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling covers the latest developments in ethical thinking, standards, and practice. You'll learn how to strengthen your ethical awareness, judgement, and decision-making. Distinguished Emeritus Professor Don Meichenbaum described the 5th edition as 'a MUST READ book for both beginning and seasoned clinicians' and Professor David H. Barlow wrote, 'A stunningly good book. . . . If there is only one book you buy on ethics, this is the one.' Covers the many changes and challenges brought about by new technology, EHRs, videoconferencing, and texting, as well as practicing across state and provincial borders Discusses moral distress and moral courage Includes 5 chapters on different aspects of critical thinking about ethical challenges, including a chapter on 'Ethics Placebos, Cons, and Creative Cheating: A User's Guide' Deals with complex issue of culture, race, religion, sexual identity, sexual orientation, and politics Provides steps to strengthen ethics in organizations Offers guidance on responding to ethics, licensing, and malpractice complaints—not to imply that you'll need to after reading this book! Keeps the focus on practical, creative approaches to the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities encountered by therapists and counselors in their work.

Are you sometimes challenged by how to apply ethical principles in your own practice? Looking to understand what ethical practice can look like from different theoretical standpoints? Linda Finlay takes you on an exploration of ethical therapeutic practice. She highlights how therapeutic decisions depend on the social and relational context and vary according to your theoretical lens. She provides you with guidance on how to engage in therapy relationally while remaining professional, ethical and evidence-based. Split over three parts this book takes you through: - The Context of Relational Ethics - introducing you to the foundational ideas, and considering how professional codes are applied within therapy - Relational Ethics within the Therapeutic Relationship – exploring the complex judgements demanded by the therapeutic process, and looking at how therapy needs to be situation specific - Relational Ethics in Practice – five extended, fictional case studies demonstrate relational ethics in practice, and discuss the issues raised.