Case Illustration of Professional Ethics & Psychotherapy Case Studies

By Dr. Kala Thompson-Taylor

The book governs the American psychological Association (APA), five general principles:

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Principle C: Integrity
Principle D: Justice
Principle E: Respect for people Rights and Dignity

The book also addresses the Assessment Process, and the historical influences of understanding human behavior.

The book further describes the evolution of Health Psychology & Case Studies on Psychotherapy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490731711

Dr. Kala Thompson-Taylor

DR. KALA THOMPSON-TAYLOR, has worked in substance abuse treatment and prevention along with recovery support services for over a decade. Dr. Taylor earned her A.A., A.S., B.A., M.S., M.B.A ., PsyD., and continues to expand her knowledge in the area of Community Wellness and Public Health. Dr. Taylor is the founder/CEO, of a non-profit organization aimed at reducing the disparities of substance abuse among youths. Dr. Taylor also previously owned a medical registry from 2001-2007; Dr. Taylor appeared in the 2003, Wall Street Journal as one of America’s top business leaders.

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Copyright 2014 Dr. Kala Thompson-Taylor.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3170-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3172-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-3171-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014905517

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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CONTENTS

Professional Ethnics

Principle A:   Beneficence And Nonmaleficence

References

Principle B:   Fidelity And Responsibility

References

Principle C:   Integrity

References

Principle D:   Justice

References

Principle E:   Respect For People’s Rights And Dignity

References

Assessment

References

Developmental Psychology

References

Psychotherapy

References

Health Psychology

References

Conclusions

References

The American Psychological association has identified five general principles, which should govern professional behavior. These principles are in the area of:

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility

Principle C: Integrity

Principle D: Justice

Principle E. Respect for Peoples Rights and Dignity

A case study in the area of each principle listed above that illustrates a potential breach of professional ethics for each case study, and identifies and describes the criteria, which would be used to determine whether or not a breach of ethics exist, and the behavior that, determine the breach of ethics in the case study. In each case, assume that you are a professional who observes the problem. The study describes what action a professional psychologist, are required to take, and further describes the actions that the offending professional should take to correct the problem.

PRINCIPLE A

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

The goal of psychologist concerning beneficence and nonmaleficence, is to strive to benefit clients who seek treatment, and for psychologist to take care of the client and do no harm to the clients.

Further, it is the need of the psychologist to safeguard and protect the rights of clients, and for psychologist to interact with clients in a professional manner.

Psychologist, are expected to be conscious of his or her own mental state of mind to assure the ability to provide effective treatment to others.

When conflicts between traditional cultural beliefs and universal psychiatric medical practice occur with clients, psychologists try to resolve the dilemma in a responsible fashion to avoid and minimize harm. (American Psychological Association [APA], Research Code of Conduct 2010, p. 2)

Because psychologist scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are to alert and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. (American Psychological Association [APA], Research Code of Conduct 2010, p. 2)

Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health, and their ability to help those with whom they work." (American Psychological Association [APA], Research Code of Conduct 2010, p. 2).

Therefore, psychologists are to maintain professionalism in the way that he or she performs psychiatric services to a client.

Case illustration

Dr. John Doe a psychologist conducted an assessment, and evaluation on a youth, after the school nurse reported the youth to welfare services. The youth showed signs of depression.

The mother did not take the youth to the hospital for proper treatment because of her holistic mental healing beliefs.

Although the mother was not for traditional psychiatric medical treatment based on her cultural beliefs, she is not opposed to the ideal.

The school psychiatric nurse believed the well-being of the youth’s health care is at risk, and reported the incident to welfare authorities.

Based on the mothers religious background, and cultural beliefs there may be a dilemma for Dr. John Doe to explain to the welfare authorities why the youth is suffering from depression.

Further, the universal psychiatric medical setting is not consistent with the mother’s cultural beliefs.

Dr. John Doe has several circumstances that may prevent him from providing an effective assessment and evaluation mainly due to the mother’s cultural beliefs.

Dr. John Doe must take extraordinary measures to become competent in the understanding of the mothers cultural beliefs to conduct an effective assessment, and evaluation.

The welfare authorities are not familiar with the mothers’ holistic healing approach. Therefore, the welfare authorities will characterize the mother as a parent of neglect.

Moreover, as a result Dr. John Doe is not confident of competence because he is not versed in nontraditional healing practices.

Dr. John Doe realizes the sensitivity of the time factors in determining the need to produce an effective and accurate assessment, and evaluation decision to report to the welfare caseworkers.

Without an accurate understanding of the mothers cultural beliefs, the assessment, and evaluation decision by Dr. John Doe may not be a true quantitative analysis of the mother holistic beliefs.

Breach of ethics dilemma

Dr. John Doe is required by APA. (2010). standard code 2.01(b), that states Psychologists provide services, teach and conduct research with populations in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study or professional experience. (para. 1).

Therefore, it is necessary for Dr. John Doe to have knowledge of diversity that is effective for implementation of treatment services.

In addition, it is necessary for Dr. John Doe attain supervision to assure the competence of services, and initiate a referral to the proper psychiatrist experience in the field.

Exception to the rule is emergency services (Standard 2.02), according to the APA standard code (2010), which states:

When psychologists provide services to individuals for whom other mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the necessary training, psychologists may provide such services in order to ensure that services are not denied. The services are discontinued as soon as the emergency has ended or appropriate services are available." (para. 7).

However, without emergency services Dr. John Doe is in a compromising situation under the current circumstances by not having the proper knowledge, or guidance under supervision, or referral source to assist the youth’s parents appropriately.

Action as a professional required to take

If Dr. John Doe conducts an unreliable assessment or health evaluation that would portray the youth’s parents as being neglectful, it will result in the youth’s placement in foster care, and possible criminal proceeding against the parents.

Dr. John Doe knows that he may be in violation of Standard 2.01, which stresses the importance of the General Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence.

This principle states that it is the psychologists’ duty as prescribed by the American Psychological Association, (2002), to Safeguard the welfare rights of those with whom they interact professionally. (p. 2).

Therefore, Dr. John Doe has a duty to take the youth’s case, and to conduct the assessment and health evaluation objectively while also respecting the client’s privacy rights,