Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide

Take your ethical reasoning and practice to the next level with timely discussions of new and reoccuring issues in psychology and counseling.

In the newly revised Sixth Edition of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide, a distinguished team of psychologists deliver a compilation of practical and creative approaches to the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities encountered by therapists and counselors in their work. The book covers the many changes and difficulties created by new technologies like electronic health records, videoconferencing, texting, and practicing across state and provincial boundaries.

Using a new, easy-to-navigate structure and including brand new chapters on cultural ethics, social justice and human rights ethics, and the application of strategies for self-care, the authors discuss complex issues in a straightforward and accessible way. Conversations about moral distress and moral courage and actionable steps to strengthen ethics in organizational settings round out the useful material contained within.

Once referred to as the "conscience of psychology," this must-read book also includes:

• A thorough introduction to the foundations of psychotherapeutic ethics, including ethics in real life, ethics in theories and codes, cultural context, ethical decision making, and moral courage.
• An exploration of common sources of ethical problems and pitfalls, including: pseudoscience, ethical fallacies, ethical judgement errors, language and rationalizations
• Practical discussions of special topics in ethics, including informed consent and informed refusal, using strategies for self-care, responding to ethics, licensing, and malpractice complaints, and confidentiality.
• In-depth examination of timely issues, including sexual attraction to patients, digital therapy, and responding to suicidal risk.

Perfect for individual practitioners and teachers of graduate courses, seminars, and continuing education classes, Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide will also earn a place in the libraries of forensic psychologists and other expert witnesses preparing to testify on the standard of care in malpractice cases.

Kenneth S. Pope, PhD, a psychologist in independent practice, chaired the ethics committees of the American Psychological Association and the American Board of Professional Psychology. He received the 2015 Canadian Psychological Association John C. Service Member of the Year Award.

Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and former President of the American Psychological Association. She is a Fellow of ten divisions of the American Psychological Association and is a recipient of the 2020 APA Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and professor. She is a recipient of the 2018 American Psychological Association Distinguished Citizen Psychologist Award.

Hector Y. Adames, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist and professor. He chaired the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affair (CEMA) of the American Psychologist Association (APA) and is a recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Emerging Professional Contributions to Research Award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race of the APA.