Running Head Code Of Ethics Worksheet

Running Head Code Of Ethics Worksheet1code Of Ethics Worksheet

Navigate to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy site and review the Code of Ethics. Select one subsection from standards 1, 2, and 3. Add the subsection number (i.e., 1.1, 2.3) and the subsection text below. Review the subsection and complete the rest of the worksheet. Refer to your course textbook and supplemental readings for assistance as needed.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics provides a comprehensive framework to guide therapists in maintaining professional integrity, promoting client welfare, and upholding ethical standards across diverse situations. By examining selected sub-sections from standards 1, 2, and 3, therapists can better understand how to navigate complex ethical dilemmas typically encountered in clinical practice. This paper highlights one sub-section from each standard, discusses potential issues, and explores appropriate strategies to address these issues ethically while considering relevant factors such as client rights, cultural competence, and professional responsibilities.

Standard 1: Non-Discrimination (Sub-section 1.1)

Sub-section 1.1: Marriage and family therapists provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

In practice, therapists may encounter situations where clients belong to marginalized groups, such as individuals with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities. A potential issue arises when a therapist's personal beliefs conflict with these client identities. For example, a therapist with religious convictions that oppose certain lifestyles might be asked to work with a same-sex couple. An ethical dilemma occurs around whether to refer the client or to continue therapy while managing personal beliefs.

Addressing this issue ethically involves the therapist adhering to the principle of non-discrimination, as outlined in subsection 1.1. The therapist should seek supervision and consultation to ensure that personal beliefs do not interfere with the obligation to serve all clients equitably. Maintaining a stance of cultural competence and respecting client autonomy are essential. The therapist must focus on supporting the client's therapeutic goals without imposing personal values, thus ensuring that all clients, regardless of their identities, receive respectful and unbiased treatment.

Standard 2: Client Welfare (Sub-section 2.3)

Sub-section 2.3: Marriage and family therapists respect clients' confidentiality and privacy, unless there are overriding ethical or legal obligations to disclose information.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapeutic relationships, yet situations may arise where disclosure is ethically or legally mandated, such as imminent harm to self or others, or pursuant to court orders. An issue may occur if a client discloses intentions of suicide or harm to others, raising the question of when disclosure is necessary and how to balance confidentiality with safety concerns.

To address this, therapists should adhere to subsection 2.3 by clearly explaining confidentiality limits during informed consent. When ethical or legal duties necessitate disclosure, the therapist must act in the client's best interest and do so with sensitivity to the client's rights. Documenting decisions and consulting with colleagues or supervisors enhances ethical practice. Balancing duty to protect with confidentiality emphasizes the importance of transparency, competence, and ethical responsibility.

Standard 3: Professional Responsibility (Sub-section 3.1)

Sub-section 3.1: Marriage and family therapists maintain the competence necessary to serve clients effectively and are responsible for seeking ongoing education.

An ethical issue under this subsection involves a therapist providing services beyond their current competency level. For example, a therapist may be asked to work with clients experiencing complex trauma but lacks specific training in trauma-focused interventions. Such situations threaten client welfare and violate ethical standards regarding competence.

The ethical response entails the therapist engaging in ongoing education and supervision, or appropriately referring clients to qualified professionals. Maintaining competence involves staying updated with current research, pursuing continuing education credits, and consulting with specialists when necessary. Upholding this standard ensures that therapists deliver effective, evidence-based care and continuously enhance their skills, thereby aligning practice with ethical commitments to client well-being and professional integrity.

Conclusion

Engaging with specific sub-sections of the AAMFT Code of Ethics enables marriage and family therapists to navigate complex ethical dilemmas proficiently. Ethical practice requires a commitment to non-discrimination, confidentiality, and ongoing competence, ensuring that clients' rights and welfare remain central. By applying the principles outlined in these standards, therapists foster trust, respect diversity, and uphold the integrity of the profession.

References

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2018). Issues and Ethics in the helping professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. American Psychological Association.
• Shafranske, E. P., & Cummings, L. (2019). Integrating multicultural and ethical considerations in counseling and therapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(2), 165-172.
• Truscott, D., & Crook-Lim, S. (2011). Ethical dilemmas in marriage and family therapy: An analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(2), 216-229.
• Kaslow, F. W. (2015). The importance of ongoing professional development for therapists. American Psychologist, 70(2), 145-154.
• Gutheil, T. G., & Gabbard, G. O. (2014). The ethics of psychotherapy practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(3), 221-226.
• Schoenwald, S. K., & Garland, A. F. (2014). Toward evidence-based practice implementation: A review of clinical and organizational factors. Psychotherapy Research, 24(1), 1-17.
• Vasquez, M. J. (2014). The ethics of multicultural competence: A call for action. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(4), 272-278.
• Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, L. (2018). Ethics in psychology and psychiatry. Oxford University Press.