Prior To Beginning Work On This Week's Discussion, Please Re

Prior To Beginning Work On This Weeks Discussion Please Reviewstanda

Prior to beginning work on this week’s discussion, please review Standard 3: Human Relations (Links to an external site.) in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Please also read the Asay and Lal (2014) “Who’s Googled Whom? Trainees’ Internet and Online Social Networking Experiences, Behaviors, and Attitudes with Clients and Supervisors,†Harris and Robinson Kurpius (2014) “Social Networking and Professional Ethics: Client Searches, Informed Consent, and Disclosure,†and Taylor, McMinn, Bufford, and Chang (2010) “Psychologists’ Attitudes and Ethical Concerns Regarding the Use of Social Networking Web Sites†articles. For this discussion, you will examine ethical issues encountered by clinical and counseling psychologists in the digital age.

Begin by reviewing the cases of Dr. Arnold and Dr. Washington listed below and selecting one of these ethical dilemmas for analysis. Case 1 Dr. Arnold is a clinical psychologist who specializes in child and adolescent issues.

From time to time, she provides consultation on high lethality cases within the juvenile court system. Recently, she was referred a case involving a 15-year-old male who has a history of aggression, angry outburst, destructive behavior, and cyberstalking. Concerned for her safety and well-being, Dr. Arnold input the client’s name into a search engine, which yielded the client’s social network page. Dr. Arnold is uncertain whether or not to look at the client’s social network page. Case 2 Dr. Washington is a counseling psychologist who specializes in trauma and self-harming behavior. Recently, he received a “friend request†from a former client who he provided individual therapy to six months ago. Dr. Washington opted not to accept the “friend request,†but considered sending a private message to the client with the social networking policy from his informed consent. Dr. Washington is uncertain whether or not to send the private message to the client. In your initial post, assume the role of a colleague to the doctor named and analyze the ethical issues encountered in your chosen case. Given the situation described in the case study, recommend how your colleague should proceed.

Provide support for your response by citing the required articles for this discussion. Consider the current and potential actions of your colleague and explain whether or not he or she is currently, or potentially will be, in violation of the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Provide support for your explanation by citing Standard 3: Human Relations (Links to an external site.) in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Explain how your colleague might avoid this type of ethical dilemma in the future. Describe what policy or policies you might put in place if you were your colleague.

Paper For Above instruction

The rapid proliferation of social media and online networking platforms has significantly transformed the landscape of professional ethics for psychologists. As professionals entrusted with sensitive client information and vulnerable populations, psychologists must navigate complex ethical dilemmas that arise from digital interactions. Central to these issues are questions about boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent, and potential dual relationships, especially in the context of social networking. Analyzing the cases of Dr. Arnold and Dr. Washington reveals distinct but overlapping ethical concerns rooted in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, particularly Standard 3: Human Relations.

In the first case, Dr. Arnold's decision to search for her juvenile client's social media profile to assess potential risks presents an ethical tension between maintaining privacy and ensuring safety. According to the APA (2017), psychologists are advocates for the welfare and rights of clients while respecting their dignity and privacy. Although the rationale for searching online information stems from concern for safety, it risks crossing boundaries if done without explicit consent and without clear justification that the information gathered is relevant and necessary (Taylor et al., 2010). The act of inputting a client’s name into a search engine without prior knowledge or informed consent may infringe upon the client’s rights to privacy, potentially violating Standard 3.04 (Respect for Persons) and 4.01 (Maintaining Confidentiality). Nevertheless, in high-risk cases like those involving serious aggression or cyberstalking, the risk-benefit analysis may tilt toward protective action, provided that the psychologist adheres to ethical guidelines and documents her decision-making process (Harris & Kurpius, 2014). The key is transparency and minimizing harm, possibly through consultation or obtaining informed consent when appropriate.

In the second case involving Dr. Washington, the dilemma centers around whether to accept a social media friend request from a former client and whether to inform the client about the agency’s social networking policy via private message. The APA emphasizes that psychologists must establish appropriate boundaries to prevent dual relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit the client (Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships). Accepting a friend request could blur professional boundaries, potentially leading to dual relationships that threaten objectivity, confidentiality, and the therapeutic process (Asay & Lal, 2014). Although declining the request respects boundaries, communicating the social media policy through a private message is a proactive measure aligned with maintaining transparency and informed consent. Such communication can clarify expectations and uphold ethical standards if done with professionalism and sensitivity. However, sending the message must avoid any appearance of exploitation or favoritism and should be documented.

To avoid similar ethical dilemmas in the future, psychologists should develop clear policies regarding social media interactions. Institutions might implement formal guidelines that define appropriate online boundaries, including precautions for searching client information and engaging with clients on social networking platforms. Training programs should emphasize the importance of informed consent, boundaries, and confidentiality in digital contexts. Furthermore, psychologists must stay informed about evolving laws and ethical standards related to electronic communication, ensuring they have updated protocols for online interactions (Taylor et al., 2010). By establishing explicit policies and engaging in ongoing ethics education, psychologists can proactively manage ethical challenges and minimize risk of violations.

In conclusion, the digital age presents unique ethical challenges that require careful consideration and adherence to established ethical principles. Both cases underscore the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, respecting client privacy, and practicing transparency, in line with the APA’s standards. Psychologists must balance safety concerns with respect for client rights, ensuring their actions do not violate ethical guidelines. Implementing comprehensive policies and continuous ethics training can equip psychologists to navigate digital dilemmas ethically, safeguarding both their practice and client welfare.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Washington, DC: Author.
• Asay, S. H., & Lal, S. (2014). Who's googled whom? Trainees’ internet and online social networking experiences, behaviors, and attitudes with clients and supervisors. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(4), 262–273.
• Harris, C., & Robinson Kurpius, S. (2014). Social networking and professional ethics: Client searches, informed consent, and disclosure. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(4), 468–476.
• Taylor, S. L., McMinn, M. R., Bufford, R. K., & Chang, C. D. (2010). Psychologists’ attitudes and ethical concerns regarding the use of social networking Web sites. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(4), 354–360.
• Additional credible sources to support future research and policy development include works by Marano (2012), Mason & Monahan (2017), Spence et al. (2019), and cyberethics guidelines issued by psychological associations worldwide.