1.4.2 CBT ethics evaluation Flashcards
Is CBT ethical in terms of causing physical harm
- Yes
- If the treatment is innefecttive it does not cause physical harm and no side effects arise like in aversion therapy
Is CBT ethical in terms of consent
- Yes
- Clients usually consent and have the right to withdraw
Is CBT ethical in terms of Psychological harm
- No
- At the begining of the treatment the client might face elavated levels of psychological harm whilst explaining their dysfunctional automatic thoughts
- Stress, anxiety, humiliation etc
What is the problem with CBT assuming the client is responsible for their disorder
- Important situational factors may be overlooked which are contributing to the clients disorder such as family problems or life events that the client is not in a position to change
- Blaming the client can be counterproductive
What is a problem with CBT in terms of the definition of rational
An irrational thought to a therapist may not be irrational to the client so trying to get the client to change these thoughts will not help as the client wont be able to see them as irrational
What did Alloy and Abrahamson find
- Depressive realists tend to see things for what they are, normal people have a tendancy to distort things in a positive way
- Depressed people display the sader but wiser effect and they are more accurate in their estimates of disaster and non-depressed people
What could Alloy and Abrahamsons findings mean
That CBT can damage self-esteem which is a form of psychological harm
How is CBT unethical in terms of labelling
A patient may be labelled as someone who has had therapy which may make them feel even worse about themselves and make other people treat them differntly
How is CBT unethical in term of vulnerable individuals
Patients could be younger than 16. This means they are unable to give valid consent
