Ethical questions addressed by a state psychological association.

Abstract

Psychologists frequently face ethical dilemmas in their daily practice. The Wisconsin Psychological Association provides a mechanism for assisting psychologists and their clients who have questions about ethical psychological practice. This paper reviews the ethical questions directed to a representative of the state association over 30 years. Most contacts (78.3%) were initiated by psychologists, with 14.1% initiated by clients. More contacts were initiated by males (53.7%) than females (46.3%); however, among contacts by clients, more were initiated by females (66.9%) than males (33.1%). Questions raised by psychologists about their own practice most frequently involved disclosure, multiple relationships, and maintaining confidentiality. Questions posed by clients most frequently concerned sexual intimacies, maintaining confidentiality, and reporting ethical violations. This study also identified several ethical issues that are not clearly addressed in the current ethics code and so may be of interest in future revisions of the code.

Patient and provider relationships: Consent, confidentiality, and managing mistakes in integrated primary care settings.

“…9–19; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2011). In fact, some licensing boards and researchers have listed a compromise in confidentiality as one of the most common issues brought up for review (Montgomery, Cupit, & Wimberley, 1999; Stapleton, Douglas, Hays, & Parham, 2010; Wierzbicki, Siderits, & Kuchan, 2012).…”

Sexual Misconduct: What Does a 20-Year Review of Cases in Quebec Reveal about the Characteristics of Professionals, Victims, and the Disciplinary Process?

“…Professionals who transgress boundaries use the relationship to the client for personal gains (e.g., affective, financial) and thus lose sight of their duty to act in the client’s best interest ( Smith & Fitzpatrick, 1995 ). The sexualization of the professional relationship is considered especially serious as it is associated with a strong potential for harm ( Seto, 1995 ; Wierzbicki et al, 2012 ).…”