An understanding of the ethical standards for one’s profession, coupled with the laws and regulations governing that profession, provides sound guidance when faced with ethical situations. While each profession has developed their own set of ethical standards, the underlying values which are central Beneficence At its core, beneficence is the responsibility and duty of the clinician to help their client overcome life’s challenges to achieve a state of well-being. Through respectful, carefully thought-out interventions, healthcare providers work toward helping the client achieve the best possible outcome while minimizing harm. Beneficence is the duty of the clinician to act in ways that improve the well-being of the client. This principle is addressed in professional ethics codes by the following: ● APA (2017)—Psychologists strive to help their client achieve a state of emotional well-being (Principle A). ● NASW (2021)—Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are a vehicle to change, and they seek to strengthen relationships in an effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, social groups, and communities (Value: Importance of Human Relationships). Nonmaleficence Nonmaleficence is the principle by which the clinician strives to do no harm. The clinician will not cause intentional harm to clients, and they will avoid behaviors that may place their clients at risk of harm. Harm is broadly defined and can include emotional, physical, and/or psychological harm. It requires the healthcare provider to carefully consider risks and benefits when making decisions that affect the care of the client. ● APA (2017)—Psychologists strive to do no harm and attempt to resolve conflicts in a way that minimizes harm (Principle A). ● NASW (2021)—Social workers use their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need, and they Integrity/Fidelity Clinical Consideration : The concept of “do no harm” may seem straightforward, for example yelling at or hitting a client is clearly unacceptable. However, there may be situations where acts of potential harm must be weighed against what is best for the client. Consider, as an example, the client who you feel would benefit from a psychotropic medication evaluation. Does the potential for harm from side effects of a medication outweigh the potential benefit of the medication to the client’s mental health? Clinicians establish relationships of trust with their clients; they remain aware of their responsibility to clients and society as a whole; they uphold standards of conduct; they promote honesty; and they do not intentionally misrepresent information. ● APA (2017)—Clinicians aspire to work to the ethical standards of the profession, they accept responsibility for their own behavior, and they work to serve the best interests of their client (Principle B). ● NASW (2021)—Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them (Value: Integrity).
to those professions are remarkably similar. Principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, integrity/fidelity, and autonomy/justice span the ethics codes of the professions and are meant to describe the ideals all professionals should aspire to.
● ACA (2014)—Counselors work for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being, enhancing development throughout the life span. They work to help the client foster control over the direction of their life (Introduction). ● AAMFT (2015)—Marriage and family therapists participate in activities which contribute to a better community and society (Preamble). Clinical Consideration : A client with a diagnosis of adjustment-related depression has been seen for eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy and has shown little to no improvement in mood and behavior. Recommending another form of treatment since this method is not working is a form of beneficence. ● NBCC (2023)—Counselors strive to enhance the social and mental well-being of their clients while supporting the overall wphysical health of each client (Core Values). elevate service to others above their own self-interest. They continually work to increase their professional knowledge and skills and apply them in practice (Value: Service, Competence). ● ACA (2014)—Counselors act to avoid harming their clients (Client Welfare). ● AAMFT (2015)—Competence is essential to the well- being of clients and their communities (Professional Competence & Integrity). ● NBCC (2023)—Counselors seek to minimize undue harm and take particular care of those who are vulnerable or in anguish (Core Values). ● ACA (2014)—Counselors honor commitments, keep promises, and fulfill their responsibility of trust in the professional relationship. They deal truthfully with their clients (Professional Responsibility). ● AAMFT (2015)—Marriage and family therapists do not exploit the trust of clients. They maintain high standards of professional competence and integrity (Professional Competence and Integrity). ● NBCC (2023)—Counselors seek to listen to others with intention and respond with respect (Counseling Relationships). Clinical Consideration : Issues of justice are not uncommon with access to services. Clinicians serve as advocates for their clients to ensure fair access to treatment. Consider: 1. The client with depression who you have been seeing, whose health insurance will not authorize more psychotherapy sessions. 2. The client with substance abuse who wants rehab but has no financial resources. Ethical professional guidelines instruct providers to work to the best of their ability to help their client access needed services.
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Book Code: PYTX1325
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