The ability to reason ethically is an extraordinarily important aspect of professionalism in any field. Indeed, the greatest challenge in ethical professional practice involves resolving the conflict that arises when the professional is required to choose between two competing ethical principles. Ethical Reasoning in the Mental Health Professions explores how to develop the ability to reason ethically in difficult situations.
Other books merely present ethical and legal issues one at a time, along with case examples involving "right" and "wrong" answers. In dramatic contrast, Ethical Reasoning in the Mental Health Professions provides you with the needed background in methods of ethical reasoning and introduces an innovative nine-step model of ethical decision-making for resolving ethical dilemmas.
Ethical Reasoning in the Mental Health Profession discusses the ethical codes of both psychology and counseling. This interdisciplinary approach promotes a better understanding of the similarities and differences in the points of emphasis in the two codes, which, in turn, enriches your understanding of the range of ethical considerations relevant to the practice of the mental health professions.
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
Biography
Gary G. Ford, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA.
"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