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Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals
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Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals



January 2006 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
"I would really recommend this as an excellent class text and desk reference. I would describe this as a very comprehensive, up to date text on ethics that includes most mental health professionals. This was very thorough and well written….the inclusion of case examples throughout the chapters really brought home the points that the author was trying to make. The author was very skilled at going into depth while covering the ethical dimensions and did not merely provide superficial discussion." -- Kathleen M. Salyers, The University of Toledo
-- Kathleen M. Salyers,

Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionals addresses a fundamental need of ethics training in psychology and counseling: the development of reasoning skills to resolve the complex professional ethical issues that arise. Author Gary G. Ford provides readers with a background in ethical reasoning and introduces them to an easy-to-follow eight step model of ethical decision making.

Key Features:

  • Covers philosophical models of ethical reasoning: Readers are provided with the needed background for understanding sources of ethical duties and the metaethical justification underlying the ethical code of their profession.
  • Addresses APA and ACA ethics codes: A greater understanding between the professions of psychology and counseling is illustrated by covering current versions of ethical codes for both fields (APA, 2002 & ACA, 2005). Recommendations are given for those who wish to pursue certification, degree, or licensure in the other field.
  • Exemplifies ethical dilemmas and ethical responses: Treats the issue of ethical dilemmas, in which two or more ethical duties actually conflict. Other texts present issues one at a time, supplemented by case examples involving ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers, leaving professionals ill-equipped to apply ethical principles to novel circumstances, particularly where multiple ethical duties conflict.
  • Reflects the complexity of real-life situations: Numerous thought-provoking case examples help students apply ethical principles to novel professional circumstances. In-depth coverage of ethical concerns in assessment, therapy, industrial/organizational, teaching, research, and forensic activities is provided, as well as in emerging areas such as e-therapy and Internet research.
  • Addresses multicultural concerns: The ubiquitous nature of cultural influences in our lives and professional activities is demonstrated. Readers are guided to identify cultural biases in their own life and the ethical principles and practices of the mental health professions.

Intended Audience:

This text is perfect for students studying ethical issues in psychology and counseling, as well as a great resource for clinical/counseling psychologists, psychotherapists, and practitioners.

This text is perfect for students studying ethical issues in psychology and counseling, as well as a great resource for clinical/counseling psychologists, psychotherapists, and practitioners.

 
Preface
 
Ch 1. Introduction
What is Ethics

 
Ethics and Personal Values

 
The Role and Values in the Practice of a Mental Health Profession

 
Why do Professions Develop Ethical Standards?

 
The History of Ethics in Psychology

 
"Ethical Principals of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"

 
Counseling: Code of Ethics

 
Psychiatry: The Principles of Medical Ethics, With Annotations Especially Applicable to Psychiatry

 
Social Work: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers

 
The Limitations of Ethical Codes

 
Ethics and Law

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 2. "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"
Introduction and Applicability

 
Preamble

 
General Principles

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 3. Counseling's Code of Ethics
Preamble

 
ACA Code of Ethics Sections

 
 
The Existence of Ethical Conflict
Summary

 
 
Ch 4. Models of Ethical Reasoning and Their Effectiveness in Resolving Ethical Conflict
The Philosophical Basis of Ethical Judgments

 
Utilitarianism

 
Kant's Formalist Ethical Theory

 
The Need for Ethical Problem-Solving Skills to Address Conflicts Between Ethical Principles

 
Ethical Relativism

 
Ethical Contextualism

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 5: 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

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 6: Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy and Counseling
Informed Consent

 
Confidentiality

 
Multiple Relationships

 
Conflict of Interest

 
Competence

 
Respect for Clients' Autonomy

 
Termination

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 7: Organizational Settings and Special Populations
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

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 8: Ethical Issues in Assessment and Testing
The Value and Ethical Implications of Psychiatric Diagnoses

 
Psychological and Educational Assessment and Testing

 
Multicultural Issues in Psychological Assessment

 
Ethics and Test Validity

 
Use of Computerized Test Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation

 
Report Writing

 
Special Considerations in College Orientation Testing

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 9: The Use of Computer Technology in Professional Practice
Specialty Guidelines for E-Therapy

 
Beneficence

 
Nonmaleficence

 
Integrity

 
Competence

 
Informed consent

 
Confidentiality

 
Conducting Assessments Using the Internet

 
Conclusion

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 10: Practice and Assessment in Organizational and Business Settings
Working for a Business Organization

 
Competence

 
Consulting Relationships

 
Special Considerations in Industrial/Organizational Assessment

 
Entrepreneurial Practice of a Mental Health Profession

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
CH 11: 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

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 12: Ethical Issues in Research
Ethics, Values, and Theory Construction

 
Conducting Research With Human Participants

 
Protecting Research Participants From Harm

 
Informed Consent

 
Special Considerations in Conducting Research With Children

 
The Use of Deception in Research

 
Confidentiality

 
Ethical Issues Concerning the Use of Student Subject Pools

 
Ethics and 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

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 13: Mental Health Professions and the Law
Legal Issues in Hospital Admission for Psychiatric Treatment

 
Involuntary Hospitalizations: The Psychiatric Commitment Process

 
The Rights of Psychiatric Inpatient Clients

 
Ethical Considerations in Suicide Preventions

 
Forensic Practice in the Mental Health Professions

 
What if Ethics and the Law Conflict?

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Ch 14: State Boards, Ethics Committees, and Ethics Complaints
When Professionals Identify Unethical Conduct

 
State Boards of Psychology and Counseling

 
Professional Organizations' Ethics Committees

 
Dealing Appropriately With a State Board of Ethics Committee Inquiry

 
Legal Complaints Against Mental Health Professionals

 
Avoiding Difficulties by Functioning as an Ethical Professional

 
Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Makings

 
Summary

 
References

 
 
Appendices
 
A: "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"
 
B: ACA Code of Ethics

"I would really recommend this as an excellent class text and desk reference. I would describe this as a very comprehensive, up to date text on ethics that includes most mental health professionals.

This was very thorough and well written….the inclusion of case examples throughout the chapters really brought home the points that the author was trying to make. The author was very skilled at going into depth while covering the ethical dimensions and did not merely provide superficial discussion."

Kathleen M. Salyers
The University of Toledo

"A comprehensive description of the ethical issues in clinical and counseling psychology grounded in a philosophical approach to thinking about ethics. The approach it takes of emphasizing ethical theory and reasoning is strong and more useful than the more typical code based approach."

Donald Brunnquell
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and University of Minnesota

.

Professor Minnie Wagner
Lakeville Health care Management and Business, Minnesota School of Business - Richfield
July 11, 2012

Excellent book for the professor and the students. The information is updated.

Dr Maria Mangual
Counseling, University of Puerto Rico
November 6, 2010
Key features
  • Survey of major principles and methods of ethical reasoning
  • Innovative framework to support individual ethical reasoning and decision making
  • A comprehensive presentation of ethical issues pertaining to therapy, assessment, industrial/organizational work, teaching, and research
  • A cutting edge chapter on ethics and the use of technology in clinical practice.
  • Numerous case situations to exemplify ethical dilemmas and ethical responses
  • Inclusion of ethical codes pertaining to both counseling and psychotherapy

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