Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling

Kenneth S. Pope, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. He chaired the Ethics Committees of the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Psychological Association. Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, is the first Woman of Color to have served as president of the American Psychological Association. She is an independent practitioner in Austin, Texas. Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and professor at The Chicago School, College of Professional Psychology where she leads the specialization in Latinx Mental Health and co-directs the IC-RACE Lab. Hector Y. Adames, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and professor at The Chicago School, College of Professional Psychology and co-director of the IC-RACE Lab.

Critical Praise for the 7th Edition of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling"No book comes close to the excellence and wide coverage of important and contemporary critical ethical issues in the practice of counseling and psychotherapy. It is an indispensable resource for mental health professionals and students and should be required reading in all psychology graduate training programs. The 7th edition of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling continues to be the “gold standard” as it leads in reflecting major revolutionary changes in our society: use of artificial intelligence in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, rise of teletherapy, and the political climate that has dismantled hard-won anti-discrimination laws and policies."— Derald Wing Sue, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University"Therapists regularly face ethical dilemmas, and this practical guide helps navigate those critical moments. The new 7th edition of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling offers the most comprehensive resource available on the market. The book provides thoughtful analysis and real-world guidance on an impressive range of topics, from self-care to human rights and DEI. I recommend this edition whether you are a graduate student in training or an experienced professional."— Thema Bryant, PhD, 2023 President, American Psychological Association; Professor, Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University"Pope, Vasquez, Chavez-Dueñas, and Adames’ new ethics book tackles the cognitive distortions and biases that lead even well-intentioned clinicians astray. Rather than simply listing ethical codes, the authors provide practical decision-making frameworks tested against real-world dilemmas, from navigating dual relationships to responding ethically when AI tools enter our everyday life. The text examines pressing issues such as social media boundary breaches, complexities of teletherapy, safeguarding personal data in the digital age, and algorithmic bias in mental health technology. For both students learning to think ethically and seasoned practitioners facing unprecedented scenarios, this new edition offers an invaluable blueprint for ethical practice in the modern world."—Linda F. Campbell, PhD, Chair, Ethics Code Task Force, American Psychological Association; Professor, The University of Georgia"Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide is a comprehensive and elegantly presented resource for every mental health practitioner. Beyond outlining essential ethical codes, the book offers invaluable wisdom and practical guidance on engaging respectfully in clinical practice. The authors offer strategies for thoughtfully and effectively navigating hyperpolarizing times, the expanding role of Artificial Intelligence, and the pervasive influence of social media. An indispensable must-read!"— Joan M. Cook, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University"Seeking to identify and avoid ethical pitfalls? Seeking to elevate the ethically framed impact of all the services we provide? Look no further. The 7th edition of this go-to resource isn’t just practical—it’s indispensable."— Eric Y. Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP (Forensic), Harvard Medical School, Affiliated Lead of Psycholegal Studies, Psychiatry, Law, and Society Program, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Former President, American Board of Forensic Psychology; Past Chair, APA Committee on Professional Practice and Standards"Already the gold standard in ethics texts, this volume continues to set the bar. Pope, Vasquez, Chavez-Dueñas, and Adames deliver a 7th edition that equips educators with practical teaching frameworks, provides scholars with rigorous ethical analysis, and supports students and practitioners with real-world guidance. Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling is an essential compass for navigating a moment when human rights, dignity, and community care are under scrutiny. Building on prior editions, the authors center healing in ethics, address artificial intelligence in clinical practice, and offer culturally informed, equity-minded guidance in contexts shaped by restrictions on DEI education and reproductive healthcare. A must have!"— Helen A. Neville, PhD, Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign"Insightful. Interactive. Essential. This new edition stands out by equipping clinicians with practical, scenario-driven guidance that tackles today’s most urgent ethical challenges in psychotherapy and counseling. From artificial intelligence to intersectional approaches for serving diverse populations in a polarized world, Drs. Pope, Vasquez, Chavez-Dueñas, and Adames offer a unique, principled compass for responding to rapidly shifting real-world dilemmas in a humane manner. Discover how this indispensable guide can elevate your ethical practice!"— Roberto L. Abreu, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology Department, University of Florida"As someone who consults with organizations striving to deliver equitable, ethical care, I know firsthand how today's practitioners are grappling with challenges that didn't exist a decade ago. Organizations and practitioners are navigating the landscape of telehealth ethics, AI in clinical decision-making, and practicing under restrictive state legislation. This seventh edition meets the moment with clarity, nuance, and, most importantly, practical guidance. Few people write about ethics with such graceful clarity. This book belongs on the desk of every clinician and in the training curriculum of every organization committed to ethical engagement and practice."— Maryam M. Jernigan PhD, CEO and Founder, Jernigan & Associates Psychological and Educational Consulting

• The Authors xivPreface xvAcknowledgments xviiPart I: the Heart and Soul of Ethical PracticeChapter 1 Caring without Harming 3Chapter 2 When Ethics Meets Real Life: The Rough Edges of Practice in the Real World 10Chapter 3 Maps and Compasses: Theories and Codes in Ethical Practice 23Chapter 4 Aware, Alert, and Questioning 41Chapter 5 Ethics in the Context of Culture and Multicultures 46Chapter 6 Dignity and Respect as Basics 65Chapter 7 Weaving Competence and Humility 73Chapter 8 Ethics and Human Rights 88Part II: Making Ethical JudgmentsChapter 9 Think Again: Debunking Fallacies in Ethics 99Chapter 10 How Pseudoscience can Undermine Ethical Judgments 109Chapter 11 Cognitive Biases and Pitfalls 117Chapter 12 The Power of Words to Cloud or Crystallize 129Chapter 13 The Illusion of Ethics: Recognizing and Dismantling False Justifications 134Chapter 14 Facing Moral Distress and Summoning Moral Courage 137Chapter 15 Ethical Decision- Making 158Part III: Navigating Ethical ComplexitiesChapter 16 First Contact and Termination: Starting the Therapeutic Journey and Bringing It to an End 169Chapter 17 Access, Availability, and Absences, Both Planned and Unplanned 177Chapter 18 The Ethics of Consent 189Chapter 19 Record- Keeping: Guidelines and Challenges 212Chapter 20 The Ethics of Self- Care 222Chapter 21 The Mortal Therapist: Creating a Professional Will 235Chapter 22 Confidentiality 239Chapter 23 Assessment and Diagnosis 261Chapter 24 Responding Ethically and Effectively to Suicidal Risk 287Chapter 25 The Therapist’s Sexual Feelings, Fantasies, and Behavior 315Chapter 26 Ethically Navigating Therapeutic, Harmful, Risky, and Inevitable Nonsexual Boundary Crossings 336Chapter 27 Responding to Ethics, Licensing, or Malpractice Complaints 362Part IV: Ethics in the Digital WorldChapter 28 The Not- So- Blank Screen: Ethical Issues in Conducting Virtual Psychotherapy 373Chapter 29 The Therapist on Social Media 392Chapter 30 Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Clinical Work 398Part V: Challenging ContextsChapter 31 Fear, Polarization, and Cancel Culture 411Chapter 32 Ethical Dilemmas of Therapists Practicing in States That Ban Dei Education and Reproductive Healthcare 419Chapter 33 Ethics in the Context of Oppression and Social Justice: Working with Diverse Populations 425Chapter 34 The Ethics of Working With and Within Organizations 442References 454About the Authors 525Index 533