User talk:Gengon918

Review of Article: The Dark Side of Professional Ethics
''This discussion is based on the article The Dark Side of Professional Ethics by Samuel Knapp Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mitchell M. Handelsman University of Colorado Denver, Michael C. Gottlieb Independent Practice, Dallas, Texas, and Leon D. VandeCreek Wright State University.''

Summary, provided by Wanda Rosario.

1.	Interpreting Rules Too Rigidly The ethics code exists to protect the best interest and welfare of the patients, supervisees, students, employees, research participants, anyone that is potentially affected by the decisions on these ethics. When attempting to interpret and apply the rules to any given situation, the terms “ reasonable”, “appropriate” and “to the extent possible” must be used for applying reasonable judgment when following a rule that leads to the best ethical practice. Rigidly interpreting and applying rules may cause the therapist to miss opportunities to enhance the client /patient relationship by failing to assess and weigh the risks versus the potential benefits of the decision.

2.	Creating Harm by Giving Disproportionate Attention to Certain Rules

The scenario used in the article uses an example that suggests to the clients that sexual attraction was a likely outcome of the therapy. This example highlighted an area of the ethics code that did not need to be mentioned unless it actually came up in a session or sexual attraction became a problem in the therapeutic relationship. Informed consent does not have to mention every ethical code in it.

3.	Advocating Intrusively

Advocating for a just cause is a good thing to do especially if it is to help a client, however, when it becomes a personal vendetta (intrusive advocacy) for the therapist it is clearly unethical behavior. The therapist needs to maintain professionalism and give the client the space to make their own choices and respect those choices whether they are in agreement with them or not. Respecting the client’s autonomy is vital to the relationship. Trying to help in this manner can ultimately cause the client harm.

4.	Failing to Maintain Professional Boundaries

Maintaining boundaries is part of maintaining the client’s well-being. A therapist has to be very deliberate and selective of what, if anything they disclose to their client. The client/therapist relationship has to be well established before any disclosure of intimate nature. The therapy is about the patient, not the therapist. Too much disclosure may harm the therapeutic relationship and the client.

5.	Interpreting Rules Without Attention to Overarching Values

When trying to adhere to ethical behavior and protect the client’s best interest the therapist must to careful not to misinterpret the rules and create obstacles that affect the relationship. There are always exceptions or other possibilities that can be applied to get the results needed without violating ethics.

Summary provided by Genaé Gonsalves

This article provided a well-needed overview of the dangers of the imbalance in maintaining ethics as a psychologist and ensuring that we are, to the best of our capabilities, holding ourselves and each other accountable to keeping that balance between the professional and personal context in values applied when dealing with patients or clients. Psychologists are an array of people that have different cultural backgrounds, experiences, and morals, therefore, ethics may be viewed and handled differently. The dark side of professional ethics equates to the behaviors and attitudes of professional health care providers push the limits of ethical standards and are at times questionable. There are four strategies mentioned that pertain to the development of understanding and utilizing standards or laws: assimilation strategy, separation strategy, marginalization strategy, and integration strategy. These strategies are all exploratory and focus on the culture of origin and the new culture, or, original morals, values, and perspective and the learning of standards and laws to abide by.

1.	Interpreting Rules Too Rigidly

The APA Ethics Code was designed for the protection of health care professionals, research subjects, students, and others, however, even in the APA Ethics Code, modifiers are used such as “to the extent of” or “appropriate” due to unforeseen and unique events that may arise or develop. Psychologists should be aware of the strategies they intend to use to avoid harming or not effectively helping their patients, such as with the use of the assimilation strategy. Those who follow this strategy focus too heavily on the standards and rarely rely on their morals. It becomes almost too robotic.

2.	Interpreting Rules Without Attention to Overarching Values

Difficulties can be created between a psychologist and their client if considerations for exceptions towards certain standards are not made. Therapeutic relationships might become fragile and treatment may fail. However, certain boundaries have to be made with certain clients who may be experiencing more severe forms of mental illness or issues. Therefore, training on how to properly execute good judgment and continuing education should be necessary and mandatory for psychology students and also for professionals within the psychology field. Modifying behaviors and attitudes for each patient become a necessary technique and quite useful and effective.

3.	Setting Low Standards for Professional Behavior

Strict assimilation strategies might cause psychologists to set low standards for their behavior. Decisions may be made half-heartedly or with little effort to rationally consider an alternative option. It is imperative to take the time needed to reasonably think about or consult on the actions one might plan to pursue or partake in as it might greatly affect the patient or client.

4.	Failing to Maintain Professional Boundaries

The well-being of the patient or client is of utmost importance. When dealing with self-disclosure, psychologists may engage selectively, however, proper judgment on when to disclose, is crucial. A shift in focus may be caused where the client’s problems are no longer viewed as important, or equally as important, as the issues of the psychologist. While we always want to establish a human connection with our patients, timing regarding disclosure is essential.

5.	Allowing Personal Values to Trump Professional Values

While it is somewhat impossible to refrain from revealing our humanistic side towards clients when requests for assistance are made, psychologists must enact boundaries pertaining to their professional role. If a client asks for help on a matter that is out of the psychologists’ competence level or beyond their professional role or responsibilities, declining that request would be the best route to take. Accepting such requests may possibly lead to violation of standards, harming the patient/client, or even as detrimental as termination or the loss of licensure. What might in the beginning be a good deed, can turn out to be quite damaging.

Discussion, provided by Wanda Rosario: How Not to Fall Prey to The Dark Side

After reading the article, the points that stand out when attempting not to fall prey to the dark side are first, striving to achieve a balance among personal ethics and values, professional rules, standards, and principles. Secondly, continuing education or lifelong learning. Being able to discern ethical issues versus personal values is a lifelong process and will happen as we practice how to integrate personal and professional ethics. Lastly, observation of other professionals as they navigate through their struggles and experiences with balancing their personal and professional ethical systems. The goal is to learn to develop judgment in order to apply ethical principles correctly in a way that is transparent, and in the best interest of the clients that upholds the principles of respect, dignity, and justice. Wanda Rosario

Discussion, provided by Genaé Gonsalves: Fight the Dark Side

It is a daily battle for most psychologists to not fall prey to the dark side. A healthy balance in maintaining ethics and practicing is needed, and hard work and constant training have to take place. Consultations would and should be key. If an issue arises that is new and unique, then consultation should be used. Students should also request that professors discuss carefully, the experiences that they have had and the difficulties they have faced and how they resolved tough ethical decisions. The use of continuing education (CE) is also crucial, particularly in this everchanging environment. While there are certain rules that should remain concrete, those rules might change based on the client you have or even your geographical location, which is why I believe cultural competence is also important. Psychologists are responsible for holding themselves accountable, at the end of the day, they are their own boss, however, in recognizing problems surrounding ethics, there is always room for change and improvement.