PSY343 - 10. Ethics

Question 1

What are ethics?

Answer 1

Values that inform psychotherapeutic practice (e.g., “what should I do in X situation?”)
Ideal standards set + enforced by professional associations
in psychology associations form code of conduct

Question 2

What are ethics?

Answer 2

Principles independent from legal system + may or may not be compatible with the law - ethics are not laws, but principles
may line up with legal obligations, but may not (confidentiality vs. obstructing law)

Question 3

What are ethics?

Answer 3

a lot of ethical behaviour is personal
clinical psychologists
there’s room for interpretation
ethics guide us through decision making

Question 4

Why are Ethics Important in Psychotherapy?

Answer 4

Therapeutic relationships unbalanced; inherent power
imbalance betw client + therapist
power differential set up - we have to acknowledge its existence

Question 5

Why are Ethics Important in Psychotherapy?

Answer 5

Psychotherapy complicated; right course of action is not always clear
we are often navigating unclear territories
requires checking in what is best for the client
if we don’t we risk doing more harm

Question 6

Why are Ethics Important in Psychotherapy?

Answer 6

Therapists are human + fallible; need guidance + accountability
sometimes we can’t get above own psychology
need council that oversees our behaviour we can be accountable

Question 7

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 7

Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991:

• All health professionals must belong to professional College

Question 8

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 8

Each College works with Ministry of Health to ensure public has access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled + competent regulated health professionals
Each College regulates practice of profession + govern the members in accordance with legislation

Question 9

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 9

Psychology Act, 1991:

• Scope of practice – assessment, diagnosis, prevention, + treatment of behavioural + mental conditions

Question 10

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 10

College of Psychologists of Ontario: identified different professions that needed to be regulated
gives regulating power to the college, not to the Ministry of Health
sets out standards, training, codes, supervision

Question 11

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 11

Authorized acts – Diagnosis + treatment*
psychology act: limited by scope of practices
can share overlap with other professions, but authorized acts are more limited

Question 12

Regulation of Psychologists in Ontario

Answer 12

considered controlled act => can provide psychotherapy
now have to be regulated by a specific college (College of Psychotherapists)
Diagnosis is a controlled act that only clinical psychologists, and no other psychologists can do

Question 13

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 13

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists guides psychologists in everyday conduct, + in resolution of ethical dilemmas based on standard set of ethical principles

Question 14

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 14

because we don’t have hard + fast rules
ambiguous by design
doesn’t tell you what to do, but what you should consider
ethical expectation: no sexual relationship with client within two years of therapy, but this is not a law

Question 15

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 15

Include minimal behavioural expectations to more idealized but achievable attitudinal expectations - e.g. be their therapist even outside therapy environment

Question 16

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 16

Identifies 4 ethical principles to be considered + balanced in ethical decision making, ordered according to weight they should be given in circumstances where multiple principles apply + potentially conflict

Question 17

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 17

principles may conflict - we prioritize those higher in the hierarchy
when it doesn’t we need to take all of them in accounts

Question 18

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 18

Principle I: Respect for Dignity of Persons
• belief that each person should be treated primarily as person/end in him/herself, not as an object or a means to an end
not about how they can satisfy my needs or improve my career

Question 19

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 19

Psychologists acknowledge that all persons have inherent, innate worth as humans, + this worth not dependent upon culture, nationality, ethnicity, colour, race, religion, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orienta6on, physical/mental abilities, age, socio-economic status, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition, or status

Question 20

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 20

highest weight, except in circumstances in which there is clear + imminent danger to physical safety of any person

Question 21

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 21

Principle II: Responsible Caring
• activities of psychologist will benefit members of society or, at least, do no harm
ensure you keep in mind the welfare of client + community you are working with
ensured through maintaining competence

Question 22

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 22

take care to discern potential harm + benefits involved, to predict likelihood of their occurrence, to proceed only if potential benefits outweigh potential harms, to develop + use methods that minimize harms + maximize benefits, + take responsibility for correcting clearly harmful effects that have occurred as direct result of research, teaching, practice, or business activities

Question 23

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 23

e.g think through risks and benefits of terminating therapy
Responsible caring recognizes + respects ability of individuals, families, groups, + communities to make decisions for themselves

Question 24

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 24

Psychologists recognize need for competence + self-knowledge
4. have to declare areas of competence
ensures that no mistakes are made because of lack of competence in the area

Question 25

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 25

e.g can’t treat a child if child psychology is not her area of competence
can be licensed, but if not, must be supervised by someone from the college
second highest weight

Question 26

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 26

Principle III: Integrity in Relationships
• Psychologists expected to demonstrate highest integrity in all relationships + ensure maintenance of public confidence in psychology
thinking more broadly about people, not necessarily just your clients

Question 27

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 27

Expectations of integrity include: accuracy + honesty; straightforwardness + openness; maximization of objectivity + minimization of bias; + avoidance of conflicts of interest

Question 28

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 28

avoid conflicts of interests - teaching own psychotherapy approach
if there is a benefit, it reflects poorly on practice + college
third highest weight

Question 29

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 29

Principle IV: Responsibility to Society
• Psychologists, both in their work + citizens, have responsibilities to societies they live + work (neighbourhood or city) + welfare of all humans in those societies

Question 30

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 30

• expectation that psychologists will conduct their affairs in such ways that promote welfare of all human beings, and + work will support beneficial purposes
lowest weight of the four principles when it conflicts with one or more of them

Question 31

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Answer 31

we don’t cause harm to our client on behalf of society

ethical dilemma - e.g. psychologists helping torture suspected terrorists

Question 32

Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy

Answer 32

• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Boundaries (e.g., dual relationships)

Question 33

Informed consent

Answer 33

consent to participate in specific psychotherapeutic procedure or intervention based on clear understanding of relevant facts, risks + benefits, available alternatives

Question 34

Informed consent

Answer 34

how long is it gonna last, how much will it cost, what are the possible outcomes, alternatives (may be a free program that provides same service)
e.g. couples therapy: you may stay together or break up

Question 35

Informed consent

Answer 35

Obtaining consent not discrete event; process that should occur throughout relationship
ongoing process
make sure client understands what they are committing to and that they have the option to not continue

Question 36

Confidentiality

Answer 36

obligation to safeguard information person has disclosed to him/her in a professional relationship
• Limits of Confidentiality
some are legal, others are ethical

Question 37

Confidentiality

Answer 37

1. Client poses danger to self or others
   not simple - e.g. client has thoughts of hurting parent
   can’t just pretend you didn’t hear it
   may choose to call police based on information, but have an obligation of investigating them
   if client feels confidentiality was inappropriately broken, they lose trust, could harm the client

Question 38

Confidentiality

Answer 38

2. Client discloses abuse/neglect of minor/vulnerable adult
   required by law to report it
   don’t have to know, just need to suspect-

Question 39

Confidentiality

Answer 39

3. Client discloses abuse by health professional
   also required by law
   must report to that person’s college

Question 40

Confidentiality

Answer 40

4. Court orders counselor to make records available

if subpoena’d by law, must show all records

Question 41

Boundaries

Answer 41

professional relationship betw clinical psychologists + patients should be strictly maintained at all times

Question 42

Dual Relationships

Answer 42

When therapist assumes two (or more professional or nonprofessional relationships) simultaneously or sequentially with client
-e.g. private practice, but also taking one her classes
both a client-therapist relationship and teacher-student relationship

Question 43

Dual Relationships

Answer 43

can potentially impact objectivity => exploitation + harm

e.g., sexual relationship betw therapist + client

Question 44

Dual Relationships

Answer 44

can’t do one role without potential of other role bleeding in
it is a conflict of interest
once given a bad mark, could ruin the therapeutic relationship

Question 45

Dual Relationships

Answer 45

may be just one psychotherapist in town, so you can’t avoid it
but the dual relationship must be addressed in the consent