13 Codes of Ethics in Therapy

It is important to be aware of and familiarize oneself with all the ethics involved in therapy. As a therapist, one should keep all the ethical guidelines in mind and then begin the therapy and as a client, one should be aware of all the ethics and their rights they have in therapy sessions. But also there are many myths related to ethical guidelines involved in therapy which should be corrected as many people are taking therapy these days due to their impacted and distorted mental health.

These ethical codes have been made by various mental health associations to maintain professional standards to make sure that behavior is appropriate and prevent any kind of harm that may occur. People seeking therapy should be able to notice the difference between ethical and unethical behavior. Many mental health professionals/ therapists/ psychologists are obligated to follow the ethical codes which will be explained now:

Professional Ethical Codes

Following are the ethical guidelines that are to be followed by the therapist that maintains professionalism and appropriate behavior in therapy sessions:

1. Beneficence and Nonmaleficene

Beneficence means acting according to the client’s best interest. It involves doing good for others with a perspective of that client’s benefits maximizes. For this, the therapist has to engage in activities that will protect the client’s rights and give them benefits and nonmaleficence includes protecting client from any kind of danger in the therapy session. This makes sure that the treatment given to the client is fair on all terms and in all situations. This ethical code is the most important to promote the well-being of clients and also to protect them from any harm or injury.

2. Confidentiality

It is the therapist’s responsibility that they have to protect the confidential information whether personal or professional of the client who is coming to seek therapy. Trust is an essential requirement in the therapist-client relationship and that is maintained when the information that is shared in the session is kept fully confidential. But sometimes, it becomes important to disclose the information so in that case consent from the client should be taken beforehand or in case of children, the therapist can look into the benefits and harms of that situation and act accordingly.

3. Informed Consent

It is a very important step to be taken before starting therapy. It involves therapist telling the client about the therapy, treatment and how the therapy sessions happen in general. It helps the client to make an informed decision about seeking therapy. It empowers the client so that they know everything in advance, reduces the chances of any exploitation and harm caused to client and fosters a good and trustful relationship between the therapist and the client. Information shared should be both verbally and in written form and should be understood by the client.

4. Autonomy

This ethical principle protects the right of the client to practice independence. It involves that the client has autonomy to make their own informed decisions anytime during the therapy sessions be it related to seeking therapy, withdrawing from it or any other circumstance. This makes the client able to make their own rational and logical decisions and own them also, fully live their lives and solve any problem that might come in their life.

5. Debriefing

It is an essential part of the consent process of the therapy. In the first session, clients are given information about all the problems, what is the problem being targeted at first, how the treatment is going to take place, what is the layout of the whole plan, etc. All this is done by the therapist only as he/she is obligated to do so. In any case, it doesn’t happen, and then it is an unethical behavior on the part of the therapist. Client has the right to know things like what are the problems, which therapy will be used, how much will it cost, how long sessions would be, duration of the whole therapy and many other things which the client should be made aware of by the therapist.

6. Deception

Providing false information to the clients and lying to them is considered as an unacceptable and unethical doing on the part of the therapist and the client both. It means that both the therapist and the client are not following the ethic of honesty and integrity. Deception can happen in any stage of the therapy like while getting informed consent done, beginning, middle or last stage of therapy and after the therapy. It interferes with the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client that is based on trust. It really impacts the other ethical codes involved in therapy.

7. Fidelity

It involves client’s responsibility to be loyal and truthful in the sessions with therapist so that they can develop trustworthiness, fulfill commitments and be honest with others. It helps the therapist in providing unconditional positive regard, trust and empathy to the client that are essential for the therapist-client bonding. It is a two-way process and if not followed, there can be harmful consequences for the client and can negatively impact on the progress of the client in the sessions. It also includes making effort to make sure that clients have reasonable expectations and they are being met also. It makes the client free and explores their capabilities in the therapy sessions.

8. Veracity

This ethical code determines a person’s commitment to truth. Therapist and the client both must always be truthful to each other throughout the sessions. For instance, if the clients are not being truthful about their problems then it will negatively impact them only. Trust is based on truth only and veracity makes sure that trust is maintained in the therapeutic relationship. The therapist must always communicate transparently with their client which makes therapy a simple and smooth process.

9. Justice

This ethical code makes sure that clients get professional, fair and egalitarian treatment from their therapists in the sessions. It is the therapist’s responsibility to be always fair to the client and not judge them regarding anything be it their clothes, religion, caste, class, etc. According to many researchers, justice in therapy is commitment to fairness that the therapist has to do regarding fee, personal thing and implementation of the therapeutic relationship. It includes being fair to the client for their values, beliefs and various opinions they might have in their life. For instance, there is a chance of unfair treatment when therapist gets to know that client is from a different caste but a good therapist will still provide fair treatment to the client.

10. Self-respect

This ethical code involves that a therapist has to take care of their needs so that they are able to establish a therapeutic relationship and provide a trusting and comfortable therapeutic environment to the client in which the client can work to make progress. The therapist applies all the ethical codes as entitlements for self. Therapist has to work on their various aspects of life like personal, social, financial, etc. so that their development is enhanced. This is important for the therapists otherwise it can cause burnout and loss of energy and they will not be able to fulfill the commitments made to the client.

11. Transference

It involves client having feelings for the therapist. Those feelings are deep, intense and unconscious in nature. These feelings occur when client’s perception of reality gets destroyed. This happens when the clients start reflecting the aspects of their past or current relationships onto the therapeutic relationship with the therapist.so, it’s necessary that client deals with these feelings of client well otherwise the client will become dependent and the ultimate goal of the therapy will remain unachieved. Transference can be positive, negative or sexualized so therapist has to gain insight about it and then help the client to end these feelings.

12. Counter transference

This happen when client develops certain feelings-conscious or unconscious with the client which can negatively impact the professional relationship between the therapist and the client. So, it becomes necessary for the therapist to gain insight about unconscious countertransference and use it effectively to maintain healthy and safe boundaries with the client. It can be seen when the therapists over shares about themselves and take an interest in the lives of client more than it is needed.

13. Respect for culture

Cultural sensitivity is essential in therapy as it allows the therapist to develop and maintain cultural competence which means understanding one’s own culture and respect other person’s culture also. Based on culture, it is easy to differentiate and provide unfair treatment to the client. But for therapy to be successful, it is important for the therapist to align with client’s different opinions, values and beliefs of different culture.

Cultural understanding makes sure that the client feels comfortable and something inappropriate and disrespectful doesn’t happen in the therapy session which can be demining. When the client feels comfortable with the therapist, it helps them to know that they are not going to get judged and can open up easily in front of the therapist. This ethical code helps people belonging to minority groups or communities to seek therapy without any fear or hesitation.

Seek Professional Help at Medavas

At Medavas, you can seek therapies along with their benefits from various therapists available on the website. Therapists/Psychologists available at Medavas work keeping in mind the professional ethical codes that must be followed in the therapy sessions. Therapists at Medavas are trained, professional and knowledgeable in their respective fields. You can seek therapy at yur convenience and comfort. You can choose the time, therapist, mode of session and language according to your comfort.

We are quick in responding to provide assistance regarding any issue like anxiety, depression, stress, mood disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders, sexual disorders, sleep problems and many other mental health problems. So, don’t waste any further time, visit the website, find your therapist and book the therapy session on the website of Medavas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Ethics in Therapy

Can biasness be avoided in the therapy session?

A successful therapy is the one which is free from any kind of unwanted biasness. Therapists on their part can try to recognize and understand the client’s opinions and perspectives along with the logic behind it which makes it easy to accept it with full heart. If you think you are being biased, then slow down, recognize the triggers of biasness, and just think about it like why you did it, how did you react and how to make it right the next time. Also, therapist can try to know the client better to prevent any possibility of stereotypes or unfair treatment.

Why are ethics important in therapy?

Ethics are important in therapy as it protects the welfare of the client from any kind of harm or danger. Therapists are responsible for taking care of the clients, act in their best interests, help them in achieving goals, protect their basic rights and minimize harm. Ethical codes also help in establishing and maintain healthy and safe boundaries between the therapist and the client. Ethics also protect the clients from any kind of partiality due to differences in religion, caste, class, race, culture, etc.

What is Multicultural Therapy?

Multicultural Therapy is an approach to therapy that takes in consideration a client’s cultural identity and background. This includes a wide spectrum that is effective for people belonging to various religious identity, sexual identity, caste, economic class, mental maturity, family background and history, physical characteristics, race, language differences, etc. Cultural backgrounds help in the development of identity, life experiences, opinions, lifestyle and beliefs. In this therapy, therapists respect the client’s culture and work with them accordingly.