What Are Some Ethical Tasks Necessary For Establishing

What Are Some Of The Ethical Tasks Necessary With Establishing A Ne

A. What are some of the ethical tasks necessary with establishing a new therapeutic relationship? b. What information goes into an informed consent? What are the limitations of confidentiality? c. Define a dual relationship. How might a dual relationship cause damage? 12-point font, double-spaced, one inch margins. 2-3 pages, APA format. Times New Roman font. Minimum of 1 source (Published books, textbook or peer reviewed journal articles).

Paper For Above instruction

Establishing a new therapeutic relationship involves critical ethical considerations that safeguard the well-being of clients and uphold the integrity of the profession. Central to this process is the development of trust, which requires transparency, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards outlined by professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA, 2017). Ethical tasks include clearly defining roles, boundaries, and expectations from the outset, as well as ensuring that the client is fully informed about the nature and scope of the therapeutic process. Therapists must also establish confidentiality agreements, outline any limitations, and obtain informed consent to proceed with treatment.

Informed consent is a foundational ethical requirement that ensures clients are aware of and agree to the therapeutic process, including its potential risks and benefits. According to the APA (2017), informed consent should include information about the therapist’s qualifications, the nature and goals of therapy, the expected duration of treatment, confidentiality limits, and the client’s rights to refuse or withdraw from treatment at any time without penalty. It is vital for clients to understand what data will be collected and how it will be used to foster trust and autonomy. Limitations of confidentiality are inherent to therapy due to legal and ethical obligations. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in cases where there is suspected child abuse, threats of harm to self or others, or court orders, among others (Knapp & VandeCreek, 2012). These limitations must be clearly communicated to clients to prevent misunderstandings and ensure informed decision-making.

A dual relationship occurs when a therapist has multiple roles with a client that could impair objectivity or professional judgment. This may include social, familial, or business relationships outside the therapeutic context (Groot & Westra, 2019). Dual relationships pose significant ethical risks because they can compromise the therapist’s neutrality and potentially exploit the client’s trust. For example, a therapist serving as both a counselor and a business partner with a client could create conflicts of interest, reduce professional boundaries, and lead to favoritism or exploitation. Such relationships may cause damage by impairing the client’s autonomy, distorting therapeutic boundaries, and fostering dependency or manipulation (Barnett, 2010). Ethical standards recommend avoiding dual relationships whenever possible and addressing them transparently if they inadvertently occur to protect the client’s welfare.

In conclusion, establishing a new therapeutic relationship involves multiple ethical tasks that prioritize transparency, informed consent, confidentiality, and boundary management. Therapists must diligently communicate the scope and limits of confidentiality, obtain voluntary informed consent, and avoid dual relationships that may jeopardize ethical practice or client welfare. By adhering to these ethical principles, mental health professionals can foster trust, facilitate effective treatment, and uphold the integrity of their profession.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Barnett, J. E. (2010). Dual relationships in psychotherapy: What are they and why are they a problem? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(5), 418–424.
• Groot, A., & Westra, H. A. (2019). Professional boundaries and dual relationships in psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 722–731.
• Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Ethical principles and standards in counseling. In L. VandeCreek & T. C. Knight (Eds.), Innovation in counseling and psychotherapy (pp. 45-58). Springer.