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My Thoughts
I need to respect the expertise of the
expertise of others.
confidential.
been obtained.
my research question.
privacy.
of my research.
and respect?
involved.
II.40 Act to stop or offset the consequences of
misrepresentation.
breaking confidentiality?
serious circumstance.
intervene.
project?
believe that a research project or some aspect of it have avoided the sharing of the names of
has a different purpose, if there are alternate
information?
believe that a research project or some aspect of it unethical, would they have shared their
has a different purpose, if it would interfere with
that the research project of some aspect of it had a potentially cared about reported?
different purpose.
my supervisors/professors about my
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possible
society
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unethically with their clients. I feel that it is therapists like this that give the entire profession a
bad reputation. I have high expectations for how therapists interact with their clients and get
frustrated when people in a position of power take advantage of people (particularly women).
However, I understand that I only know one part of the story and that I have not heard the other
point of view. Two grown adults entering into a sexual relationship is not ethically appropriate
with a therapist-client relationship, however, these situations do happen. I am not sure if these
were one time occasions or if the client attempted to sexualize the relationship (even though the
obligation to not reciprocate would still be with the therapist). Do these differences make the
situation less ethical? The therapists should have maintained appropriate boundaries. I also have
to remember that I am not in the role of a therapist to these women and that I asked for the
information (with the exception of the names) for research purposes. If I am not counseling
these women, how can I support them through the process or affects of reporting their previous
therapists? That is not my role and I have limited experience. I need to gather more information
and speak with my supervisor/professor before jumping to conclusions as well as before I decide
on my course of action.
Step 4. Development of Alternative Courses of Action
After going through the Ethical Principles and Respective Values and Standards, I have
decided that I have ruled out some courses of action: a) do nothing, just collect the data I need
for my research and forget about the names, or b) report the therapists immediately to their
regulatory body. There are two courses of action that I think I should explore further to
determine if they are appropriate given this situation.
Alternative 1. First, I will phone my supervisor/professor to better understand my role in
this situation. I will share my concerns and my thoughts on a course of action. They will be able
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to guide me and help me understand if there is any information or part of the process that I may
be missing. If they feel that it is within my role to continue with this course of action, I will
phone the women and get more information from them in regards to the sexual relationships. I
can explain my position and concern for what they experienced, but also my concern for future
clients who work with these therapists. I need to ensure that the women were clients of the
therapist at the time of the sexual relations or how soon after they were clients (ie determine if it
was less that 2 yrs). I can state that I am having a hard time turning a blind eye as it is
unethical for therapists to get sexually involved with their clients. I can also explain that I want
to honour my promise of confidentiality, but I feel that it is in conflict with my duty to report
unethical behaviour. I will review the limits to confidentiality that I have previously discussed
with them. I can outline sections of the Code to help the women understand that there are no
circumstances in which sexual activity with a client is okay and that it is always considered
detrimental regardless of what a therapist may say to justify this type of relationship.
If it does sound as though these therapists did not act in the best interest of their clients, have
caused harm to the women and are at danger of potentially harming other women, then I will
report them to their respective regulatory bodies.
Alternative 2. As with the first course of action, I will call or meet with my
supervisor/professor to discuss my concerns and thoughts for a course of action. I will also seek
guidance to better understand my role and duties in this situation. If my supervisor feels that I
am on the correct track then, I will contact the women to speak with them first, but also to get
permission to speak with their current therapists. In addition, I will ask my supervisor to provide
me with any psychologists familiar with supporting women who have been in sexual
relationships with their therapists to learn strategies on how to support the concerns of the
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women. When speaking with the women, I will explain that I am in a difficult position knowing
the names of the therapists that they had sexual relations with and I am concerned about their
well being as well as the well-being of future women who work with these therapists. First, I
will get an idea of how they feel about what happened. Is it a case where they are fine with the
situation and it is over and they want to forget about it and move on from it? If so, will
encouraging them to report the therapists cause more damage? Or, is it the case where they have
unresolved feelings, anger, resentment or feelings of mistrust? I will share the information from
the Code that indicates that under no circumstance is a therapist to engage in sexual relations
with their clients. I will also review the limits to confidentiality that I originally shared with
them. Next, I will call their current therapist to discuss my concerns and explain my situation. I
will also discuss the situation with them to help determine the best course of action as well as the
possibility of the women needing support throughout this process. I can also determine whether
or not their current therapist have already reported the therapist. If I feel that it is in the best
interest of the women, I will encourage them to report their previous therapists to their regulatory
bodies.
Step 5. Analysis of Likely Short-term, Ongoing and Long-term Risks and Benefits of Each
Course of Action on the Individual(s)/group(s) Involved or Likely to be Affected
Table 2.
Possible Positive Consequences
Alternative 1
any further.
The women could be confused as I
and guidance.
Obtain a better understanding of the
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best interest.
Ensure that I have all of the correct
conclusions.
I am providing the women with
importance of consultation.
Obtaining more information from the
current therapist will help me determine a
clients.
The women could tell me that they do not
want to report the therapists and could be
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from my research.
Step 6. Choice of Course of Action after Conscientious Application of Existing Principles,
Values, Standards
Alternative II is the best choice. It is respectful to all parties involved. It includes my
supervisor, the referring therapists and the women in the discussion of the dilemma as well as the
decision-making. It also includes consulting with another psychologist. Even if the women
disagree with my views, I will do everything in my power to ensure that they understand my
reasoning and my ethical responsibilities. The rationale is to help these women as well as protect
other women from being taken advantage of unethical therapists in the future.
Step 7. Action with a Commitment to Assume Responsibility for the Consequences
I need to act and monitor the results. I need to be aware that there will likely be
consequences for my actions. I also have to consider the consequences for my supervisor.
Step 8. Evaluation of the Results of the Course of Action
In evaluating the results of my decision, I may focus on the way that I set-up and
collected consent for my research paper. Next time, I need to ensure that I share all of the
potential scenarios with individuals before we get started. I will discuss the limitations to
confidentiality.
Step 9. Assumption of Responsibility for the Consequences of Action, Including Correction
of Negative Consequences, If Any, or Re-engaging in the Decision-making Process if Ethical
Issue is not Resolved
I will address any unanticipated negative consequences immediately. I will maintain an
open dialogue throughout this process to be able to address issues as they arise. This scenario
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will have a much larger impact on others. It is not about me. I will adjust as needed based on
the feedback that I receive throughout the ethical-decision making process. As the process
proceeds, I will consider any remedial actions that may need to take place.
Step 10. Appropriate Action, as Warranted and Feasible, to Prevent Future Occurrences of
the Dilemma
I need to provide more information, open communication and clarification of the intent of
my research. I must ensure that I am clear with the ethical implications of sharing personal
information and if that does occur, how ethical issues will be addressed. It is important that I am
extremely clear on informed consent, confidentiality, and my role and responsibility with
collecting information for research purposes. I also need to make sure that I discuss any future
research concerns and potential problems with my supervisor/professor to ensure that I am
implementing the most effective procedures to collect information in a manner that helps prevent
the sharing of too much information.
REFERENCES
Sinclair, C., & Pettifor, J. (Eds.) (2001). Companion manual to the Canadian Code of Ethics for
Psychologists (3rd ed.). Ottawa, ON: Canadian Psychological Association.
Truscott, D., & Cook, K. H. (2004). Ethics for the practice of psychology in Canada. Edmonton,
AB: University of Alberta Press.