PSY611 Final Term Notes

Lesson 19: Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy

1. Informed Consent to Therapy

Informed consent is a crucial ethical and legal obligation. Therapists must ensure clients understand key aspects of their treatment from the start.

2. Group Therapy

When providing services to a group, psychologists must clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties and the limits of confidentiality at the outset. Standard Informed Consent (Established Techniques): Psychologists should inform clients as early as feasible about: The nature and course of therapy. Fees. The involvement of third parties. Limits of confidentiality. Answers to any related questions about therapy. Consent for Non-Established Treatments: For treatments without generally recognized techniques, therapists must inform clients about: The developing nature of the treatment. Potential risks involved. Alternative treatments if available. The voluntary nature of their participation. Therapist-in-Training: If the therapist is a trainee, the client must be informed that the legal responsibility for treatment lies with a supervisor. The client should be given the supervisor's name during the informed consent procedure.

3. Therapy Involving Couples or Families

When working with multiple people in a relationship (e.g., spouses, parents & children), therapists must clarify at the outset:

Advantages:

Peer influence and support can facilitate gains that might be slower in individual treatment. The group setting can become a "therapeutic ecology" where special insights and awareness may develop.

Disadvantages & Hazards:

A group leader who lacks proper training may fail to monitor the experience adequately for all members. Pressures for cohesion and emotional expression can be inappropriate for some clients. The therapist has less control over the content and direction of the session compared to individual therapy. Potential problems include stress from confrontation, criticism, threats to confidentiality, and dependency on the group. Preventing Negative Outcomes: To manage these risks, a therapist must: Provide informed consent. Ensure voluntary participation. Conduct proper screening of participants. Carefully differentiate roles based on whether the group is therapeutic or educational.

Which individuals are clients. The relationship the psychologist will have with each person. The psychologist's role and the probable uses of the information obtained.

4. Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others

If a client is already receiving services from another professional, a psychologist must carefully consider treatment issues and the client's welfare. They should discuss these issues with the client to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict.

5. Sexual Intimacies

Psychologists are strictly prohibited from engaging in sexual intimacies with:

6. Interruption of Therapy

Psychologists must make reasonable efforts to plan for continuity of care if services are interrupted. This can be due to factors such as:

7. Special Obligations of the Therapist

If potential conflicting roles arise (e.g., being asked to witness in a divorce), the psychologist must take reasonable steps to clarify, modify, or withdraw from the role appropriately.

Current therapy clients. Individuals they know to be close relatives or guardians of current clients. Significant others of current clients.

The psychologist's illness, death, unavailability, or relocation. The client's relocation or financial limitations. When entering or ending employment/contractual relationships, the psychologist must ensure responsibility for client care is resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.