Ethics of Psychologists and Psychotherapists: 7 Examples of Gross Violations

Contents:

• The specialist is working in a crisis state
• Makes unjustified promises
• Enters into multiple relationships
• Has sex with the client or his relative
• Does not protect client information
• Solicits feedback on his work
• Conducts endless therapy

During psychotherapy, difficult issues may arise between the client and the psychotherapist. To resolve them effectively, it is recommended to rely not on intuition, but on the Ethical Code developed by the Russian Psychotherapeutic Association (RPA). This code is based on an analysis of similar documents from various countries and provides standards of professional conduct, promoting trust and respecting client rights. Adherence to ethical standards is essential for creating a safe and productive therapeutic environment, which in turn facilitates a deeper understanding and effective resolution of client problems.

In this article, Natalia Bekhtereva examines the most significant ethical violations that psychotherapists and psychologists may commit. These aspects are important for maintaining trust between professionals and clients, as well as for ensuring the quality of psychotherapeutic care. Violation of ethical standards may negatively impact the therapy process and lead to serious consequences for clients.

An experienced psychotherapist, supervisor and chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Russian Psychotherapeutic Association (RPA) ensures high standards of psychotherapeutic practice. His competence includes not only therapeutic work with clients, but also quality control of psychotherapeutic services, as well as compliance with ethical standards in the field of psychotherapy. The specialist is actively involved in the development of the psychotherapeutic profession in Russia and contributes to increasing trust in psychotherapy.

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The specialist works in a crisis state

If a psychotherapist is faced with an event that radically changes their life, such as the death of a loved one or a personal crisis, it is important for them to set aside time for recovery. During this period, it is recommended to work through the experienced emotions and situations with their own therapist. Only after this should the specialist return to counseling practice. This will ensure high-quality assistance to clients and prevent potential negative consequences from unresolved personal issues.

Unconscious processes occurring within a therapist can significantly impact the quality of therapy provided. For example, if a therapist is going through an acute divorce, it may be advisable to temporarily suspend work with couples. This will prevent personal emotions from negatively impacting professional work and ensure more effective interactions with clients. Maintaining a therapist's emotional balance is key to successful therapy.

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Emotional burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that occurs as a result of prolonged stress and excessive workload. It can manifest itself both in workers in various fields and in people engaged in caring for others.

There are several stages of emotional burnout. The first stage is a feeling of fatigue and decreased motivation. In the second stage, a person begins to feel cynicism and distance themselves from their responsibilities. The third stage is characterized by a decline in professional effectiveness and a feeling of incompetence. Burnout can be recognized by signs such as constant fatigue, lack of interest in work, irritability, and sleep problems. It is important to pay attention to your emotional states and, if necessary, seek professional help. Taking care of your mental health plays a key role in preventing burnout and maintaining productivity. A therapist is also responsible for burnout prevention. Unfortunately, in pursuit of financial gain, some therapists schedule up to 10-12 sessions a day, making sustainable work impossible. When I was starting my career as a psychotherapist, I attended a seminar where one therapist shared his experience. He shared that he dedicated most of his day to self-care, including taekwondo classes. This approach helps them prevent burnout and maintain high effectiveness during sessions. It's important for psychotherapists to devote time to their own emotional well-being, which allows them to provide high-quality care to their clients and avoid professional burnout. A therapist must pay attention to their physical and mental health, as this is paramount to effective work with clients. Maintaining good health allows a specialist to be more attentive and professional during therapy. Taking care of one's own health helps prevent burnout and improves the quality of services provided. To be successful, a therapist must regularly engage in physical activity, monitor their diet, and find time for rest and recovery. This not only improves personal well-being but also creates a positive climate for working with clients.

Makes unjustified promises

In the Code of Ethics, this point is formulated as follows: "Specialists avoid theft, deception and fraud, do not use tricks and do not resort to deliberate distortion of facts." This principle emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in professional activities, which helps build trust between specialists and their clients. Compliance with these standards helps maintain a high level of professionalism and ethics in work.

Promising unrealistic results from psychological practices is a serious form of fraud. It is incorrect to claim that a person can conduct consultations without the necessary education and qualifications. This distorts reality and calls into question professionalism in the field of psychology. It is important to remember that only qualified professionals can provide effective help and support, based on scientific knowledge and experience. Turning to untrained consultants may not only fail to solve problems, but also aggravate them. Therefore, it is always worth choosing professionals with the appropriate certifications and experience.

Enters into multiple relationships

Multiple relationships occur when a psychotherapist has a professional relationship with a client and simultaneously maintains other types of relationships with them. These relationships may include friendship, family ties, or business contacts. It is important to understand that multiple relationships can lead to conflicts of interest and affect the quality of therapy. Psychotherapists must be sensitive to such situations and strive for transparency in their interactions with clients in order to maintain ethics and professionalism in their practice. Proper management of multiple relationships contributes to the creation of a safe and effective therapeutic environment, which is a key aspect of a successful psychotherapeutic process.

• has another relationship with the client, such as being their manager or friend;
• has a relationship with someone closely related to the client, such as a family member or close friend;
• promises to enter into a new relationship in the future with this person or someone closely related to them.

Examples of multiple relationships include situations in which a psychotherapist acts as a teacher for their client in an educational institution, as well as cases in which the therapist and client jointly run a business. Such relationships can create a conflict of interest and affect the effectiveness of therapy. It is important to consider these aspects to maintain professional boundaries and ensure a high-quality psychotherapeutic process.

Conflicts of interest can negatively impact the objectivity and effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Professionals need to establish and maintain clear professional boundaries. This will help protect the interests of clients and maintain trust in the therapeutic relationship. Establishing such boundaries contributes to higher quality work and improves therapeutic outcomes.

Having sex with a client or his relative

A psychotherapist does not have the right to enter into sexual relations with clients. This rule is fundamental in psychotherapeutic practice and is aimed at protecting the interests of clients. Sexual relations can violate professional ethics and create a conflict of interest, which will negatively affect the therapeutic process. The psychotherapist must maintain professional boundaries and provide a safe space for the client, where he can openly discuss his feelings and experiences. Compliance with these principles contributes to the effectiveness of the therapeutic process and trust between the client and the specialist.

• with clients currently undergoing psychotherapy;
• with relatives of clients currently undergoing psychotherapy, or other people significant to them. Professionals do not terminate psychotherapy to circumvent this rule;
• with former sexual partners;
• with former clients for at least two years after the end of psychotherapy.

Sexual transference in psychotherapy is a common phenomenon in which a client begins to experience romantic or erotic feelings for their therapist. A professional psychotherapist must be prepared to recognize and manage such situations. It is important to maintain clear professional boundaries and not allow personal emotions to influence the therapeutic process. This helps maintain the safety and effectiveness of therapy and helps the client better understand their feelings and relationships. Understanding sexual transference is a key aspect in the work of a psychotherapist, which allows for high-quality and ethical treatment.

If a client begins to pay more attention to their appearance before a session, this may indicate a transfer of feelings, which requires careful analysis. The therapist must also be aware of their emotions and reactions to avoid becoming involved in an unprofessional relationship. It is important to maintain professional distance and be aware of the dynamics of the interaction to ensure an effective therapeutic space.

Does not protect client information

Protecting confidential information is a fundamental aspect of the work of psychotherapists. Professionals are obliged to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of data about their patients, regardless of whether it is stored in paper or electronic format. Effective measures to protect personal information contribute to the creation of a trusting relationship between therapist and client, which in turn improves the quality of psychotherapeutic care.

Breach of confidentiality is a serious issue that can arise when a professional shares personal information about a patient with third parties. This can even happen at professional events, such as congresses and seminars. If a professional actively uses social media and wants to discuss a specific case, they should present this information as a fictional story to protect the patient's privacy and comply with ethical standards. Maintaining confidentiality is important not only to protect the patient's interests but also to maintain trust in medical and psychological professionals.

A psychologist violates an ethical rule by sharing stories from their practice in the format "one of my clients" or by changing the patient's name. Even in such cases, the client may easily recognize themselves in the story. This underscores the importance of maintaining confidentiality and protecting clients' personal information. Every professional should be aware that disclosing details without the patient's consent can negatively impact trust and safety in the therapeutic process.

Protecting personal records from access by unauthorized persons is an important aspect of ensuring confidentiality. For example, when using notes on a mobile phone, measures must be taken to prevent access to the information, even by loved ones, such as children. This may include the use of passwords, biometric authentication, or data encryption. By keeping your notes secure, you maintain privacy and protect your personal thoughts and ideas from unwanted viewing. Confidentiality is a crucial aspect of a psychotherapist's work, and it remains important even after their death. Documents and computer data must be protected in a way that prevents unauthorized access to the therapist's client information. This is necessary to comply with ethical standards and protect personal information, which confirms the psychotherapist's commitment to the principles of confidentiality at all stages of their professional activity.

Requesting feedback on their work

A violation of the Code of Ethics in psychotherapy occurs when a psychotherapist does not request feedback from clients. Although the client has the right to leave feedback at their own discretion, asking for it may create a sense of obligation. As a result, the client may fear that negative feedback will affect the therapist's attitude towards them. This can lead to a distortion of the objective assessment of the specialist's work and an erosion of trust in the therapeutic relationship. It is important that psychotherapists adhere to ethical standards and avoid situations that may make clients feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Conducts indefinite therapy

Psychotherapists are obliged to terminate therapy when it becomes apparent that the patient no longer needs further treatment, when therapy is not producing positive results, or when continuing the process may cause harm. It is important for professionals to assess the condition of their clients and make the decision to terminate therapy based on professional analysis and ethical standards. Effective termination of therapy can be an important step in the patient's recovery process and help them move on to the next stage of life.

A clear contract and understanding of the client's needs are the basis for successful work in psychology. This allows us to define the goals that need to be achieved. Even within the framework of maintenance therapy, it is important to periodically reassess the need for further support. The psychologist should be aware of their capabilities and limitations and discuss with the client the advisability of continuing sessions. This approach promotes more effective interaction and helps the client achieve their desired results during therapy.

If the client decides to stop because they don't want to delve deeper into their problems, this is entirely acceptable. Not all issues require thorough analysis, and sometimes it's better not to delve into details. It is important to remember that everyone has the right to choose their own path and level of involvement in the process.