PSYCH 1200 - ESSAY 1200 WORDS

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Jun 18, 2024

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PSYCH 1200 - ESSAY 1200 WORDS Ethics serves as a moral compass shaping the practice and research in psychology; ensuring that psychologists uphold the principles of ethics. These principles include upholding the integrity and confidentiality of the patient while continuing their responsibility for justice and respect. The scenario of Dr. Hayley Clarke, a clinical psychologist, presents several ethical dilemmas. Having conducted six motivational interviewing sessions with Ms. Vera Hansen five years ago, Dr. Clarke now learns that their children are kindergarten friends. When Dr. Clarke's child receives an invitation to Ms. Hansen's child's birthday party, she RSVPs and buys a $20 gift. CONFIDENTIALITY - 250 Confidentiality is a primary concern, given Dr. Clarke's prior professional relationship with Ms. Hansen. Attending a social event where she might learn personal information about Ms. Hansen that was not discussed during their sessions, could violate Ms. Hansen’s confidentiality. The transition from a professional to a social relationship raises further boundary issues. Dr Hayley Clark should consider if this interaction is a one-off, or will be continuous. Buying a gift for Ms. Hansen's child possibly removes professional and personal boundaries, potentially compromising Dr. Clarke's professional objectivity. It may also create perceptions of favoritism or bias, possibly affecting future professional relations with Ms. Hansen. Due to the fact Dr. Clarke and Ms. Hansen's children are now friends, it imposes a risk of a confidentiality breach as personal information about Ms Hansen may have inadvertently been shared with Dr. Clarke's child during casual interactions. These accidental breaches can be spread among the childre n or information about the parents be spread to the other parent. To address these dilemmas, Dr. Clarke should consult with a supervisor or ethics committee (like the Australian Board of Psychology) for guidance. Transparency with Ms. Hansen about their social interactions is essential, along with setting clear boundaries. Dr. Clarke should avoid discussing confidential information at the party and uphold professionalism at all times. In conclusion, Dr. Clarke must carefully consider the ethical implications of her actions to maintain the honesty of her professional role while managing her personal connections. By prioritizing confidentiality, boundary maintenance, and ethical standards, Dr. Clarke can navigate this situation ethically. shared about patients at home and should not be sharing any confidential information about patients; including Ms. Hansen; in the presence of her child or Ms. Hansen during the party. Dr. Clarke BOUNDARY CROSSING Firstly, Dr. Clarke's attendance at Ms. Hansen's kid's birthday party raises ethical alarms regarding boundaries being crossed. While it is natural for individuals to form social connections outside of their professional lives, attending a social event hosted by a former client complicates matters. However, attending a social party that was organized by a previous client needs to be handled delicately. Participation in this sociocultural setting may hazard the doctor’s ability to maintain the therapeutic boundaries previously established in her sessions. The possibility of closeness and

informal communication could damage the professional distance vital for effective therapy and might result in confusion or ethical errors. What complicates matters even more is the disclosure invitations of the birthday party. In the therapy sessions, clients trust the therapist and disclose personal and even intimate information under the common belief of privacy and confidentiality. If Ms. Hansen was attending a social gathering with some of her former clients, she may inadvertently leak confidential information or discussion and break Dr. Clarke's promise to the patient. The violation of the trust might have far-reaching effects on present and future therapeutic relationships of Ms. Hansen. Along with that, the fact that Dr.Clarke interacts with Ms.Hansen’s child creates concerns about dual relationships. Dual relationships are situations where a therapist provides the client with both therapy and friendship or acquaintance roles. Even though Dr. Clarke's relationship with Mrs. Hansen's kid appears to be harmless on the surface, it destroys the borderline between her private and professional roles. The blurring of roles, therefore, could make Dr. Clarke lose the ability to keep objectivity and impartiality while communicating with Ms. Hansen and her family. CONFLICT OF INTEREST In Dr. Clarke's case, it becomes very clear that there is a risk of conflict of interest occurring since her personal life is deeply connected to her professional side as a psychologist. As a psychologist, working in drug and alcohol services, Dr. Clarke's professional responsibilities and ethical obligations to her clients include upholding the boundaries, privacy, and objectivity when dealing with them. The fact that she is now personal acquaintances with Ms. Hanson through their children is against her professional commitment as a psychologist who previously treated Ms. Hanson. The subsequent act of her celebrating the birthday may affect her freedom of impartiality and her objective in the future. Also, she would have to consider her conversations with Ms. Hansen, being a psychologist, as well as its confidentiality. An event where she meets together with her former clients' relatives and friends can also endanger confidential information, or some private information about Ms. Hansen can be revealed. The potential that the friendliness of Clarke and Hansen may be identified as a case of favoritism or bias if she continues to provide support for Hansen in any capacity in the future cannot be completely ruled out. In addition, Dr. Clarke has to study the benefits and risks of this complex situation. She may need to think about whether she might continue to take care of the Hansen family in the future. Her supervisor and ethics committee would be important assets during the challenging process of decision-making. Hence, keeping honesty and communication with them would enable her to adhere to the ethics guidelines. GIFT GIVING

Dr. Clarke's attendance at the birthday party along with the bringing of a gift for Ms. Hansen's kid could make the relationship between them ambiguous. Such blending of roles could deteriorate the therapeutic alliance and may also result in misconceptions about Dr. Clarke’s role as a psychologist. On the other hand, gift-giving can lead to fears of questionable practices such as undue influence and favoritism. The doctor might be unknowingly conveying the message of special treatment and favoritism between her and the patient, which might damage her professional relationship with her client. It can also lead to clients' suspicion about discrimination of other clients undermining trust in Dr. Clarke's fairness and objectivity. Moreover, confidentiality might be breached by gift-giving. The choice of the present and the very act of giving it could unintentionally expose the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship between Dr. Clarke and Ms. Hansen. This could affect Ms. Hansen’s privacy and confidentiality rights, leading to the damaging to the therapeutic relationship which is based on trust. The doctor must carefully think about the motives behind her charity and also should be careful that what she does, does not violate the professional norms and ethics. She will have to critically assess how her actions impact the therapeutic relationship with Ms. Hansen and to identify other means of expressing her appreciation or ways of keeping the boundaries. Openness and communication are vital in resolving gift-giving dilemmas. Dr. Clarke should openly discuss the ethical issues with Ms. Hansen and strive for her approval with regard to the gifts in their relationship. Also, a professional relationship with colleagues, supervisors or ethics committees may supply the necessary guidance in handling these complex ethical questions. References: https://psychology.org.au/getmedia/d873e0db-7490-46de-bb57-c31bb1553025/aps-code-of- ethics.pdf file:///Users/niamh/Downloads/ 20240328T112559_psyc1200_making_sound_ethical_decisions.pdf https://www.apa.org/monitor/jan03/10ways

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