Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy - Essay Example

The field of psychology is quite a complex one, and sometimes requires the therapist to have to make difficult decisions, which can significantly affect the daily lives, wellbeing and freedom of the individual being treated. Such cases are sometimes related to the question of whether or not to commit someone and institutionalize him involuntarily, without his consent to it. In cases such as these, several main question need to be asked and evaluated in order to decide on a course of action to follow. The therapist needs to think about the values he is violating in contrast with the values he is promoting. On the one hand, the psychologist will be tampering with the clients daily life, hinder his freedom and the involuntarily commitment could also produce a negative effect of resentment or anger, and even mistrust, and these could adversely effect the rest of the treatment. On the other hand, the therapist must consider the patients wellbeing and evaluate if the client is in any danger of hurting himself or anyone else. Obviously, the value of life tends to take precedence even if other values are hurt as a result, but one should also remember that the value of respect is most important and central in this matter. The clients dignity and sense of respect, both to himself by himself and others respect to him must be considered (Corey et al, 1979). Also, the type of therapy and those being given it should be taken into consideration- one does not treat a couple the same ways as a family or a group. Each of these has a specific way of therapy needed and suitable for them, and it influences both the considerations one must take and the types of relationships one can be involved with. Other considerations which should be taken into account are the existence of bias in the evaluation, and an overall evaluation including all the aforementioned considerations. The bias involves being too "dogmatic" and strict in assessing the person, for example someone who matches criteria pertaining to the characteristics of someone whos likely to be in danger of harming himself, for example. This could lead to mental rigidness and, as a result- to a misdiagnosis (Corey, Corey, Callanan & Russell, 1992). Overall, in these situations, one must carefully look into the situation in which the client is in, evaluate his competence to continue functioning properly in his daily lives and assess whether or not the individual is at risk or is capable of hurting himself or possibly others. After deciding this considering all the different aspects needed, the execution of the action, especially if it is of an involuntarily commitment, should be done as gently and calmly as possible, in order to keep the client calm and relaxed, and also in order for the continued relationship and trust between client and therapist to remain as they are. The successfulness of the treatment depends on these factors, so it would be very detrimental if they were hurt. In case of the couple, family or group, one should be successful in analyzing the dynamics between the parties involved and figure out a proper course of action that will benefit all, one that would achieve the best possible outcome (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 1988). There is also the issue of multiple and overlapping relationships with the client. In some cases, another type of relationship is being formed between the client and the therapist, as well as the therapeutic one. This could be in various situations, for example if the two are entering a certain business arrangement or partnership or anything of that sort (will usually occur after the treatment has ended), if the therapist becomes a supervisor of the client in some sort of arrangement, and in other cases as well. The relationship between a former client and a therapist can even become sexual at some point. Given the fact the therapy is the most intimate, fragile, exposed place a person has in his life, and is coupled with intensity and sensitiveness, it must not be understated or mishandled. In other words, several principles must be followed in order for there to be a functional and appropriate therapeutic relationship between the two parties (ODonohue & Ferguson, 2003). First, a sexual relationship can obviously not take place between two people who are in the process of therapy, as one of them is treating the other. It would create a distortion of the boundaries and borderlines between the relationship and the treatment, and may even turn it into irrelevant and unsuccessful. Second, clear expectations and boundaries need to be discussed and agreed upon in order for multiple or overlapping relationships to take place concurrently and without a negative effect. Discussing and determining the mutual desires, hopes and wishes prevents misunderstandings that could lead to problems and conflicts. Third, ongoing consultation and discussion of cases in which concurrent relationships are being formed can be an incredibly helpful source of knowledge and assurance. Consulting colleagues is probably the best way to see that no bias is being applied, nothing is out of the ordinary, and no moral or reasonable lines are being crossed. Despite someones professionalism, everyone has blind spots, especially when it comes to the self and things related to it. An outsider will have an objective perspective and can supply insight and thought that are outside of the matter and the equation, therefore being the best possible source of advice. Fourth, having a life outside of the occupation, one that does not involve therapy, the interaction of two people in such an environment and functionality, can be very useful. The therapist needs to create some sort of a division between his personal life and his life as a therapist. It will contribute to his peace of mind and wellbeing, and also help differentiate the two fields. Ultimately, we can assess that prohibitions in this murky area are necessary in order for a proper, functioning and successful therapy to be administered to the client, without any harmful or detrimental outcomes to either him or the therapist. This becomes especially important in tricky situations, like ones in which the therapist must decide whether or not to institutionalize a client without his consent, something which could damper the trust between the two and sever the connection between them, but could sometimes be vital and critical for the person to continue to function well and pose no danger to himself or others. One must look at the broader picture and assess all the relevant perspectives and questions in regard to this subject in order to fully be able to provide the client with the best, most suited therapy for him. The goal of it, is, after all, helping him achieve a better state of being, functioning and a better, improved way of life and attitude toward life. References Cory G. et al. (1979). "Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy". ‏retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://tcp.sagepub.com/cgi/pdf_extract/12/3/43 Corey G., Corey M.S. & Callanan P. (1988). "Issues and Ethics in the Helping Profession". Retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=esIdAAAAMAAJ&q=issues+and+ethics+in+the+helping+profession&dq=issues+and+ethics+in+the+helping+profession&hl=iw&pgis=1 Corey G., Corey M.S, Callanan P. & Russell J.M. (1992). "Group Techniques". Retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=SnHTAAAACAAJ&dq=Gerald+Corey,+Marianne+Schneider+Corey,+Patrick+Callanan%E2%80%8F&hl=iw   ODonohue W.T & Ferguson K.E (2003). "‏Handbook of Professional Ethics for Psychologists", retrieved May 5, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=agwMiPq5R1QC&pg=PA395&dq=issues+and+ethics+in+the+helping+profession+couple+family&hl=iw#PPA1,M1 Read More