Just like all other mental health professionals, psychotherapists run their practice guided by a strict code of regulations and ethical principles. Dedication to ethical and professional excellence is one way to describe what they do. Also, they are sworn to commitment to service, advocacy and public participation. This does not stop clients from unethical treatment by psyhotherapist, at least unscrupulous ones.
As a client, it is of utmost importance to fully grasp the importance of law and ethics to a mental health profession. Ethics and law is what the profession is founded on. Ethics is to therapy what gods are to religion. One cannot exist without the other. This is what makes breach of ethics a crime so despicable. Indeed, the crime is punishable by the licensing board, the professional body or the legal framework.
Unethical treatment may involve several aspects. For instance, your sessions are completely confidential and if the psychotherapist reveals anything without your consent, it is a breach of your rights. Also, if he or she makes sexual or romantic advances to you, that is completely not ethical. Also, friendships are not ethical unless it does not hinder their performance or affect you as a patient.
It is an ethical obligation for psychologists to bill their patients accurately. In addition, they should explain their financial policies from the beginning of the therapy. If he or she bills for a service that is covered rather than what was provided is ethically wrong. Also, exaggerating a patient diagnosis or writing less damaging diagnosis is not ethically acceptable.
If you feel your ethical rights have been breached in the above or others ways, there are several options available. But, first and foremost, you need to confirm and be completely sure that indeed your right to ethical therapy has been breached. You do not want to destroy someones career over a hunch. Talk to someone whom you trust or a lawyer to know your next step.
If you are now sure that your right to ethical treatment was indeed violated, you can choose the way forward from a pool of several options. Confronting them and talking to them about their questionable behavior is the first option that many people prefer. Another option may be to report them to their particular licensing or professional body. If your lawyer advises so, you may also file a law suit.
Just to be clear, if you are in a crisis or your life is under threat, law enforcement officers should be involved right away. Termination is also an option as mentioned above. However, do not hide by abandoning the program or ignoring their phone calls. If you wish to terminate, confront them and say you would like to withdraw from therapy as your rights were violated.
Having emotional or other kind of issues is a difficult thing for anyone. Sharing them with someone is not easy either. Most psychotherapists have good and ethical practices, helping millions of people find their path again. However, there are a few who take advantage of their unsuspecting gullible clients. Such individuals should not be allowed to continue practicing; instead, they should be put away for good.
As a client, it is of utmost importance to fully grasp the importance of law and ethics to a mental health profession. Ethics and law is what the profession is founded on. Ethics is to therapy what gods are to religion. One cannot exist without the other. This is what makes breach of ethics a crime so despicable. Indeed, the crime is punishable by the licensing board, the professional body or the legal framework.
Unethical treatment may involve several aspects. For instance, your sessions are completely confidential and if the psychotherapist reveals anything without your consent, it is a breach of your rights. Also, if he or she makes sexual or romantic advances to you, that is completely not ethical. Also, friendships are not ethical unless it does not hinder their performance or affect you as a patient.
It is an ethical obligation for psychologists to bill their patients accurately. In addition, they should explain their financial policies from the beginning of the therapy. If he or she bills for a service that is covered rather than what was provided is ethically wrong. Also, exaggerating a patient diagnosis or writing less damaging diagnosis is not ethically acceptable.
If you feel your ethical rights have been breached in the above or others ways, there are several options available. But, first and foremost, you need to confirm and be completely sure that indeed your right to ethical therapy has been breached. You do not want to destroy someones career over a hunch. Talk to someone whom you trust or a lawyer to know your next step.
If you are now sure that your right to ethical treatment was indeed violated, you can choose the way forward from a pool of several options. Confronting them and talking to them about their questionable behavior is the first option that many people prefer. Another option may be to report them to their particular licensing or professional body. If your lawyer advises so, you may also file a law suit.
Just to be clear, if you are in a crisis or your life is under threat, law enforcement officers should be involved right away. Termination is also an option as mentioned above. However, do not hide by abandoning the program or ignoring their phone calls. If you wish to terminate, confront them and say you would like to withdraw from therapy as your rights were violated.
Having emotional or other kind of issues is a difficult thing for anyone. Sharing them with someone is not easy either. Most psychotherapists have good and ethical practices, helping millions of people find their path again. However, there are a few who take advantage of their unsuspecting gullible clients. Such individuals should not be allowed to continue practicing; instead, they should be put away for good.
About the Author:
If you have recently received unethical treatment by psyhotherapist, the best thing to do is discuss your experience with our consultants. To get the help you need today, visit our site at http://therapyabuse.org.
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