Tjeltveit, A. C., & Gottlieb, M. C. (2010).
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice,
Training, 47(1), 98–110.
Abstract
Psychotherapists may, despite their best intentions, find themselves engaging in ethically problematic behaviors that could have been prevented. Drawing on recent research in moral psychology and longstanding community mental health approaches to prevention, we suggest that psychotherapists can reduce the likelihood of committing ethical infractions (and move in the direction of ethical excellence) by attending carefully to 4 general dimensions: the desire to facilitate positive (good) outcomes, the powerful opportunities given to professionals to effect change, personal values, and education. Each dimension can foster enhanced ethical behavior and personal resilience, but each can also contribute to ethical vulnerability. By recognizing and effectively addressing these dimensions, psychotherapists can reduce their vulnerabilities, enhance their resilience, reduce the risk of ethical infractions, and improve the quality of their work.
The article is paywalled, unfortunately.
Here are some thoughts:
The authors argue that psychotherapists, despite their good intentions, can engage in unethical behaviors that could be prevented. Drawing on moral psychology research, they suggest that ethical infractions can be reduced by focusing on four dimensions: the desire to help, the opportunities available to professionals, personal values, and education. Each of these dimensions can enhance ethical behavior and resilience, but also contribute to vulnerability. By addressing these dimensions, psychotherapists can reduce vulnerabilities, enhance resilience, and improve their practice. Traditional ethics education, focused on rules and codes, is insufficient. A broader approach is needed, incorporating contextual, cultural, and emotional factors. Resilience involves skills, personal characteristics, support networks, and their integration. Vulnerability includes general factors like stress, and idiosyncratic factors like personal history. Prevention involves self-awareness, emotional honesty, and addressing vulnerabilities. The DOVE framework (Desire, Opportunities, Values, Education) can help psychotherapists enhance resilience and minimize vulnerabilities, ultimately leading to more ethical and effective practice.
