Contemporary and Emerging Ethical Issues in Family Therapy

Abstract

Ethical dilemmas in the field of family therapy continue to evolve; this article addresses ethical issues family therapists are currently confronting or may confront in the future. We begin by examining a movement in the field towards relational ethics, which is inclusive of context, values, and power that permeate all relationships. Using this framework in relation to both our clients and our practice, we discuss defensive and risk‐aversive practice of family therapy within our current socio‐political context, family therapists working with child alienation in cases of non‐normative divorce, the impact of digital technology on families and family therapy, and the polarisation of sexual value issues.

The female spouse: A process of separation when a husband 'comes out' as gay

“…In contrast with their previous therapeutic experiences, this latter support was experienced as beneficial and helped them to perceive the life transition as an opportunity for personal development. Similar positive health benefits are reflected in the literature on social and therapeutic support, with reductions cited in distorted thinking and conflict [ 46 , 47 ]. It may be that therapeutic practices have improved in recent years and that the women had more efficacy and control of their lives at this later stage–they could, and had to, focus on themselves.…”

Virtual Relationships and Systemic Practices in the Digital Era

“…Ethical concern in providing online psychotherapy or other e-mental health interventions (by means of video conferencing, e-mail, texting, chat or virtual reality technology) has been reported by many authors as one of the main worries expressed by mental health professionals regarding the use of ICTs (e.g., Hecker and Murphy 2015;Wilcoxon 2015;Wells et al 2007;Negretti and Wieling 2001).…”

Recognizing and Resolving Ethical Issues

“…The practice of relational ethics (Kaplan et al, 2017) offers family counselors an approach that involves the development of collective valuing and shared responsibility for ethical decisions among all family members (Gergen, 2015). The practice of relational ethics challenges a “rational, linear view of ethics that is guided by abstract moral principles” (Hecker & Murphy, 2015, p. 468) by offering a decision-making model of collaboration with clients to determine the best direction. Hecker and Murphy (2015) asserted that a more linear model of ethical decision-making fails to consider the complexities evident in today’s clinical practice.…”