Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy

Question 1

What are some of the primary ethical issues in psychotherapy?

Answer 1

• structure of the relationship
• informed consent
• couples and family members of patient
• maintain confidentiality
• discuss limits of confidentiality
• disclosing confidential information

Question 2

Prochaska & Norcross (1994) definition of psychotherapy

Answer 2

The informed and intentional application of clinical methods and interpersonal stances derived from established psychological principles for the purpose of assisting people to modify their behaviors, cognition, emotions, and/or interpersonal characteristics in directions that the participants deem desirable.

Question 3

Structure of the relationship

Answer 3

• Discuss the nature of the relationship, role of therapist and patient
• Discuss the anticipated course of therapy
• Discuss the fees
• Discuss confidentiality

Question 4

Informed consent

Answer 4

• Use understandable language
• Person needs to have capacity to consent
• Needs to have been informed of significant information concerning the procedure
• Has freely expressed consent
• Consent has been documented appropriately
• People who are legally incapable of giving informed consent must have a legally authorized person to consent for the client
• Explain interventions in an understandable manner
• Seek approval of pt for those interventions
• If court ordered or mandated, inform the patient of the nature of the anticipated services, including whether the services are court ordered or mandated and any limits of confidentiality before proceeding

Question 5

Couples and family

Answer 5

• Determine who the patient(s) are

- Clarify the relationship that you will have with each person

Question 6

Maintain confidentiality

Answer 6

-Take reasonable precautions to protect information obtained through or stored in any medium, recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated or established by institutional rules or professional or scientific relationships

Question 7

Discuss limits of confidentiality

Answer 7

• Relevant limits of confidentiality
• Foreseeable uses of the information gathered
• At outset of treatment
• If using electronic transmission, inform clients of the risks to privacy and limits to confidentiality