Ethics for Counselling and Psychotherapy Introduction The changes

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Ethics for Counselling and Psychotherapy Introduction

Ethics for Counselling and Psychotherapy Introduction

The changes: to. . . • Role specific • Talking therapy as personal/individual action

The changes: to. . . • Role specific • Talking therapy as personal/individual action • Individual practitioner • Ethic of client autonomy dominant • Ethical principles dominant • Generic • Talking therapy as both personal and social action • + Team and agency • Multiple ethical perspectives offered • Other approaches to expressing ethics included • Relational ethics

Ethic of client autonomy strengths • Challenges assumptions about professional power • Strengthens client

Ethic of client autonomy strengths • Challenges assumptions about professional power • Strengthens client power and influence by directing attention to the client’s right to be self-governing • Directs attention to importance of free and informed consent, confidentiality, rejects manipulation for social ends

Ethic of client autonomy limitations • Culturally biased - presupposes atomistic and individualistic approach

Ethic of client autonomy limitations • Culturally biased - presupposes atomistic and individualistic approach to self • Leaves an ethical void when limitations to autonomy encountered - dependency/lack of capacity, suicidal intent(? ), harm to others • Weak on practitioner’s valid rights • Inhibits awareness of wider social context and responsibilities - self in relationship

Innovations – new principles • Fidelity -honouring the trust placed in the practitioner –

Innovations – new principles • Fidelity -honouring the trust placed in the practitioner – ethic of relationship – trustworthiness, boundaries, confidentiality, mutual respect • Closely matches ethic of autonomy in Western culture but adaptable to other social and cultural contexts

Innovations - autonomy • Autonomy - respect for client’s right to be self-governing –

Innovations - autonomy • Autonomy - respect for client’s right to be self-governing – addresses power imbalance, informed consent, confidentiality, clients as ends in themselves not means to an end - ie rejects manipulation for beneficial social ends

Innovations - new principles Beneficence - promoting client’s well-being Non-maleficence - avoidance of harm

Innovations - new principles Beneficence - promoting client’s well-being Non-maleficence - avoidance of harm • previously implicit as subsidiary principles • vulnerable clients incapable of autonomy • prohibition on exploitation • responsibility for dependent clients who are vulnerable to harm?

Innovations - new principles Justice - fair and impartial treatment of all clients and

Innovations - new principles Justice - fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services • respect for human rights and dignity • conscientiously considering any legal requirements • fairness and avoidance of discrimination • striving for fair and adequate provision of services

Innovations - new principles Self-respect - fostering the practitioner’s selfknowledge and care of self

Innovations - new principles Self-respect - fostering the practitioner’s selfknowledge and care of self • controversial but important in relationship with client’s, colleagues and others • appropriate application of all the previous principles to self • personal and professional development • validates life outside talking therapies

Strengths and limitations of principles • Dominant in professional ethics • Good way of

Strengths and limitations of principles • Dominant in professional ethics • Good way of expressing prospective expectations and retrospective justification • Rational, analytic and action orientated • impersonal and detached? BUT • Ethics in practice are informed by underpinning ethical commitment, values, and experienced as personal moral qualities ….

Values • Values inform principles – respect for human rights and dignity – integrity

Values • Values inform principles – respect for human rights and dignity – integrity of practitioner-client relationships – enhancing quality of professional knowledge – alleviating personal distress and suffering – facilitating a sense of self that is meaningful …

Personal moral qualities • Empirical evidence that the practitioner’s personal qualities are foremost in

Personal moral qualities • Empirical evidence that the practitioner’s personal qualities are foremost in clients’ sense of safety and quality of relationship • Cannot be required by definition • Need to be deeply rooted in the person as an act of personal commitment • Qualities are what we aspire to

Personal moral qualities • • • Empathy Sincerity Integrity Resilience Respect • • •

Personal moral qualities • • • Empathy Sincerity Integrity Resilience Respect • • • Humility Competence Fairness Wisdom Courage

Overall effect • Recognition that profession is maturing and facing complex ethical challenges for

Overall effect • Recognition that profession is maturing and facing complex ethical challenges for which there may be several appropriate responses • Change the professional culture and ethos from conformity to rules to ethical accountability and engagement • Fostering ethical understanding and practice intrinsic ethics - ethical mindfulness