Ethics in clinical psychology

Submitted by: Muhammad Abid Aslam

Roll No:01

BS (Hons) Semester II

Session 2018-2022

Submitted to: Dr. Humaira

CENTRE FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB LAHORE
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Ethics in clinical psychology

Ethics in clinical psychology

A case study
To engage in a multiple relationship is to enter into a secondary relationship in addition to
the business or financial, or sexual in nature. The APA Ethics Code makes it very clear that
all multiple relationships need not be avoided; only those that hold a significant potential
for exploitation of, or harm to, the client (posing threats to the principles of Beneficence &
Non-Maleficence), and those that are likely to lead to impaired objectivity and judgment
for the psychotherapist, must be avoided. Of course, knowing this in advance may prove
challenging. Thus, the use of a decision-making process and consultation with colleagues
is recommended when the outcome and effects of an anticipated multiple relationship is
unclear.

Following case study shows how multiple relationships can be disturbing for a
clinical psychologist and a challenging process of decision making would have to be
followed:

Dr. Kirk Honda, Therapist, at Antioch University Seattle reported such a case in
which he was referred a patient(x) with some kind of marriage problems. In the very
first session, x told that he was referred by his wife who was a former student of
therapist (now a therapist, too). The therapist had to make a quick decision keeping
in mind all the clinical ethics and standards of APA Ethics Code. He was swirled
into an “ethical dilemma” where he had to decide whether it is violation of standard
under APA section of “Multiple Relationships” or not.i

Following could be the possible Ethical Issues concerned here: -

1. As x’s wife is his former student, so, he may have prior knowledge about
their family, life, marital problems or in extreme conditions about her affairs
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Ethics in clinical psychology
of pre-married life. All of this knowledge may deteriorate the therapist-client
relationship.
2. As x’s wife is now a graduate and practicing, Honda may encounter her in
professional meetings like conferences or workshops or discussions. So, the
standard of confidentiality may be abused.
3. The therapist may get biased against/in his favor, as he knows about his wife
earlier. So, his personal emotions may get involved in therapeutic
relationship.
4. The information provided by client may also affect therapist’s view about
her colleague. So, when his wife will come to him for some professional
advice or license issues, he may bless or curse her.
5. In any professional meeting, x’s wife may tell something about her husband
out of therapy and this information may affect therapist’s intervention of her
husband during therapy.
6. After all, a psychologist is a human being with his own personal issues or
state of mind, if he takes a wrong decision, he may fall into an ethical
dilemma which may disturb his own life. So, the threats to the psychologist’s
own well-being should also be concerned.

Ethical questions

i. As a therapist, “Am I going to harm anyone (either husband or wife), or is

this going to be a risky multiple relationship (analysis of potential harm)”
ii. Can this therapeutic relationship be beneficial more than its minor or no
harms? (detriment-benefit analysis).

Possible Solutions / steps to eradicate dilemma

I. Outweigh the harm and benefits of this multiple relationship.

II. Measure the negative effects of therapy to both therapist and client.
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Ethics in clinical psychology
III.Consult some other colleague (preferentially, a senior having experience in
such matters) immediately; if possible.

Decision Making

The benefits outweighed the potential harm of this therapeutic relationship,

because the client’s wife was no longer in constant contact with therapist. So, according
to section_3.05 of Multiple Relationship, “Multiple relationships that would not
reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not
unethical.”

The therapist followed the standard of informed consent by clarifying the

client that this therapeutic relationship is going to be strictly confidential that (a) his
wife won’t get any information out of this therapy by simply asking the psychologist
until ‘you’ give the consent to grant the information and (b) that no prior or future
information given by his wife will be considered therapeutically.

So, conclusively the therapist decided to take his therapy in a very neutral,
unbiased, professional and beneficial way.

i
https://psychologyinseattle.squarespace.com (Dr. Kirk Honda)