____________________________________________ Professional Ethics and Law in California, 2nd Edition
principles, however, veracity can find a place in an ethical dilemma. Sparing an individual from knowledge of a harsh reality can be seen as doing good for that person, or practicing beneficence. Usually, however, the importance of truthfulness is more straightforward. A social worker may not falsify records or inflate his or her résumé or fail to reveal a potential conflict of interest. It has been said that the Greek philosopher Socrates considered ignorance to be like an arrow missing its target. If mental health practitioners believe that they are “walking a perfect path,” they may begin to form habits that bypass thorough inquiry and perhaps miss the mark as it pertains to demonstrating best practice in mental health. They should also be willing to assume responsibility for their mistakes and misjudgments, without blaming others—even when this may place them in vulnerable legal positions. CORE VALUES AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES Core values make up the basis on which members of an organization, profession, or other group work and conduct themselves. These values remain constant in spite of changes in the world. They do not describe specific behavior but provide the foundation for that behavior (National Park Service, n.d.). The core values espoused by mental health ethics codes incorporate a wide range of overlapping morals, values, and ethical principles that lay the foundation for the profession’s unique duties. They generally include: • Service • Autonomy—allowing for freedom of choice and action • Responsibility to clients
Depending on a particular mental health professional association’s code of ethics, ethical professional practice can include: • Helping people in need • Challenging social injustice • Respecting the inherent dignity and worth of the person • Recognizing the central importance of human relationships • Behaving in a trustworthy manner • Practicing within areas of competence and developing and enhancing professional expertise Some of the principles, such as responsibility to students and supervisees, are what mental health practitioners can aspire to, while others are much more prescriptive, clearly identifying enforceable standards of conduct (Reamer, 2006). For example, an aspirational principle is reflected in Standard 1.01 of the NASW Code of Ethics, making client well-being the most important priority, while an enforceable standard is Standard 1.03, requiring informed consent (Dayton, 2019). Most ethics codes describe specific ethical standards rel- evant to six areas of professional functioning. These standards provide accepted standards of behavior for all mental health clinicians concerning ethical responsibilities: • To clients • To colleagues • To practice settings • As professionals • To a particular mental health profession focus • To the broader society Further, professionals should take responsible steps before practicing interventions or approaches that are new to them or that are an emerging area of practice, with little to no generally recognized standards. Bogle and Coleman (2000) recommend the following strategies for gaining and maintaining profes- sional and ethical competence: • Learning should never stop. Research and use available education, training, consultation, and supervision opportunities to increase competence. • Stay informed about the state of the profession through membership in national/ state organizations and the review of professional publications. • Adhere to state licensing laws prior to service provision. Overall, mental health practitioners can benefit from the following more specific yet practical recommendations: • Take proactive responsibility for errors in judgment • Avoid blame
• Responsibility to the profession • Responsibility to social justice • Responsibility for doing no harm • Dignity and worth of the person • Confidentiality • Importance of human relationships
• Do good and be proactive • Professional competence • Integrity • Engagement with appropriate informational activities • Treating people in accordance with their relevant differences • Responsibility to students and supervisees • Fidelity • Responsibility to research participants • Financial arrangements that conform to accepted professional practices
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