Ethical Reasoning in the Mental Health Professions

Gary G. Ford, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA.

• INTRODUCTION What is Ethics? Ethics and Personal Values The Role of Values in the Practice of a Mental Health Profession Ethics and Law Why Do Professions Develop Ethical Standards? The History of Ethics in Psychology Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct Counseling: Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Psychiatry: The Principles of Medical Ethics Social Work: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers The Limitations of Ethical Codes ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND CODE OF CONDUCT Preamble General Principles COUNSELING'S CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE Code of Ethics The Existence of Ethical Conduct MODELS OF ETHICAL REASONING The Philosophical Basis of Ethical Judgements Ethical Relativism Ethical Hedonism Utilitarianism Kant's Formalist Ethical Theory MODELS OF ETHICAL REASONING IN RESOLVING ETHICAL CONFLICTS Situations Requiring Ethical Problem-Solving Skills Fletcher's Situation Ethics Wallace's Ethical Contextualism A MODEL OF THE ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS The Purpose of the Model The Model A Case Example Applying the Model of Ethical Decision Making ETHICAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING Informed Consent Confidentiality Multiple Relationships Competence Conflict of Interest Respect for Clients' Autonomy Termination Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WITHIN ORGANIZATIONAL AND SPECIALIZED SETTINGS Working Within an Organization Conflict of Interest Working in a Psychiatric Hospital Managed Care Practice Working in Forensic (Correctional) Settings Mental Health Professionals in the Military Psychotherapy with Children School Psychology and Counseling Computer-Assisted Therapy Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making ETHICAL ISSUES IN ASSESSMENT AND TESTING The Value and Ethical Implications of Psychiatric Diagnoses Psychological and Educational Assessment and Testing Diversity Issues in Psychological Assessment Ethics and Test Validity Use of Computerized Test Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation Report Writing Special Considerations in Industrial/Organizational Assessment Special Considerations in College Orientation Testing Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making ETHICAL ISSUES IN TEACHING AND SUPERVISION Competence Informed Consent Multiple Relationships Confidentiality Professional and Scientific Responsibility Teaching Students about Values and Professional Ethics Ethical and Legal Issues in Supervision Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making ETHICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH Ethics, Values, and* Theory Construction in the Mental Health Professions Conducting Research with Human Participants Informed Consent Informed Consent Issues with Children Protecting Research Participants form Harm The Use of Deception in Research Confidentiality Ethical Issues Concerning the Use of Student Subject Pools Ethics and the Scientific Merit of Research Ethical Issues in Data Collection and Analysis Ethical Issues in Publishing Research Results Ethical Issues in Conducting Research on the Internet Ethical Issues in Conducting Animal Research Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND THE LAW Legal Issues Concerning Admission for Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Involuntary Hospitalization The Rights of Psychiatric Inpatient Clients Ethical Considerations in Suicide Prevention Forensic Practice in the Mental Health Professions What if Ethics and the Law Conflict? Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making STATE BOARDS, ETHICS COMMITTEES, AND ETHICS COMPLAINTS State Boards of Psychology and Counseling Professional Organizations' Ethics Committees Dealing Appropriately with a State Board or Ethics Committee Inquiry Legal Complaints against Mental Health Professionals When Professionals Identify Unethical Conduct Avoiding Ethical Difficulties by Functioning as an Ethical Professional Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making REFERENCES APPENDIXES NOTES INDEX

"Ford has produced a stunning volume that should be required reading for applied psychologists and psychology graduate students of every ilk. It is a challenging, engaging and practical book. The field needs this book. Ford deserves accolades and thanks for this superb achievement!"- N. Dickon Reppucci, Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia