The American Psychological Association
the body that publishes a code of ethics for American psychologists of all specialties
Code of ethics
the guidelines published by the APA that govern ethical standards across common professional activities, such as therapy, assessment, research, and teaching
-Originally published in 1953
-Nine revised editions published subsequently
Most recent edition published in 2002 (two amendments in 2010)
General Principles
one of two sections in the APA ethical code that is aspirational
Aspirational
the ideal level of ethical functioning or how psychologists should strive to conduct themselves
Ethical Standards
one of two sections in the APA ethical code that incudes enforceable rules of conduct
Enforceable
the comprehensive list of standards that psychologists must meet and can face punishment for violating
10 categories, 89 standards
Positive ethics
the approach to ethics that views principles as inspiration for ethical behavior to the highest order
Celia Fisher
a chair of the APA Ethics Code Task force who created the 2002 revision of the ethical code
Ethical decision making
a process standardized by Celia Fisher in Decoding the Ethics Code that models how to maintain professional ethics
Prior to any ethical dilemma arising, make a commitment to doing what is ethical, so your ethical “alarm” will ring in the appropriate situations
Know the American Psychological Association ethical code and any other relevant standards or guidelines
Identify any laws that might apply
Understand the perspectives of various people who could be affected by the decision you may make. Consult with colleagues (always protecting confidentiality) for additional input and discussion
Generate and evaluate your options, and wisely choose one
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the option you chose, and if possible and justified, modify your decision and continue to monitor and evaluate
Confidentiality
the ethical process of taking reasonable precautions to protect confidential information
Specifically mentioned in general principles and ethical standards
Not absolute
Tarasoff case
the case that established the duty to warn after Tatiana Tarasoff’s her ex-boyfriend told his psychologist he intended to kill Tarasoff, the psychologist did not adequately warn her, and the client killed her
-Revised two years later to a duty to protect, which could involve other than directly warning someone
Duty to warn (and duty to protect)
the legal precedent that psychologists and other therapists have a responsibility to warn or protect people toward whom their clients make credible, serious threats
Difficult in application
How accurately can clinical psychologists assess the credibility of their clients’ threatening statements or their clients’ intent to follow through?
What kind of threats merit warnings (blatant life-or-death threats, or other kinds of harm)?
At what point in therapy and to what extent should psychologists prioritize the protections of potential victims over the treatment of their clients?
Example: clients with HIV, clients with COVID-10
Different states have different interpretations of the rules, requirements, and specifications regarding this precedent
Informed consent
information about the psychological intervention, such as research or treatment, given to a person before the intervention begins
Ensures they have the opportunity to become knowledgeable about the activities in which they may participate
Facilitates an educated decision
Affords individuals the opportunity to refuse to consent
Multiple relationships (or dual relationships)
a situation in which a clinical psychologist knows someone professionally, such as a client or student, and also in another way, such as a friend, business partner, or romantic partner
Sexual multiple relationships
the most flagrant and damaging multiple relationship in which the clinical psychologist becomes a sexual partner of the client
Fundamental breach
Often results in significant psychological/emotional damage for the client
Psychologists can discuss sexual feelings towards clients with other professionals or their own therapist
Nonsexual multiple relationships
multiple relationships such as friendships, business or financial relationships, coworker or supervisory relationships, affiliations through religious activities, and many other forms
What Makes Multiple Relationships Unethical?
Two factors that make a multiple relationship unethical:
Impairment of the psychologist
Exploitation or harm to the client
Slippery slope: major violations (boundary violations) can be preceded by a slow erosion of boundaries (boundary crossings)
Competence
the skills, experience, and expertise that qualifies a clinical psychologist to adequately complete the professional tasks they undertake
Boundaries of competence
a psychologist’s specific area of competence that is based on education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, and/or professional experience
-Having a degree or license does not automatically make a psychologist competent for all professional activities
Psychologists must be specifically competent for the task at hand
Continuing education
a psychologist’s continued sharpening of their professional skills to keep their knowledge of the field current after completing their degree, such as attending lectures, participating in workshops or webinars, or successfully completing a test on selected books or chapters
Cultural competence
an understanding of diverse factors, such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status, that is essential for effective implementation of services or research
Burnout
a state of exhaustion that relates to engaging continually in emotionally demanding work that exceeds the normal stresses or psychological “wear and tear” of the job
Self-care
actions one can take to minimize burnout
Includes:
Varying work responsibilities
Keeping reasonable expectations
Consulting with other professionals
Maintaining a balanced and healthy personal life
Seeking therapy as needed
