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.
So what exactly is unethical treatment? It may involve confidentiality breach, where the psychotherapist reveals information concerning your sessions without your consent. Also, any romantic or sexual gestures from the therapist are a no-no. Encounters outside the practice are also prohibited. Friendships and any other type of relationship likely to affect the psychotherapist performance or harm the client are also considered unethical.
It is not acceptable, ethically, for mental health professional to bill their clients wrongly. Since the commencement of the therapy sessions, he or she should explain to the client their financial and billing policies and stick to it. For instance, they should not bill a client for a service that is already covered. Besides, they should not exaggerate or write less damaging diagnosis for whatever reason.
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.
So what are your options as a client whose right to ethical therapy has been breached? As a patient, you may discuss the therapist questionable behavior with them. Also, you are free to seek counsel from a different health professional. Lawyers are also helpful in helping you chart a way out. Lastly, you may contact their professional association to ask questions or report a complaint.
For starters, if you are in a crisis or your life is threatened, involve law enforcement right away. If you wish to terminate the program, do not just abandon it or stop receiving their phone calls. Terminate in an amicable and adult manner. Inform the therapist that they breached your rights and consequently you wish to withdraw from the program.
It is difficult enough having to live with emotional wound and pain. Talking to a total stranger is also not easy; it takes courage and an enormous call for trust and that why this privacy should be protected at all cost. This is why anyone who takes advantage of their clients should not be allowed to practice. By reporting, we get rid of them one by one.
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.
So what exactly is unethical treatment? It may involve confidentiality breach, where the psychotherapist reveals information concerning your sessions without your consent. Also, any romantic or sexual gestures from the therapist are a no-no. Encounters outside the practice are also prohibited. Friendships and any other type of relationship likely to affect the psychotherapist performance or harm the client are also considered unethical.
It is not acceptable, ethically, for mental health professional to bill their clients wrongly. Since the commencement of the therapy sessions, he or she should explain to the client their financial and billing policies and stick to it. For instance, they should not bill a client for a service that is already covered. Besides, they should not exaggerate or write less damaging diagnosis for whatever reason.
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.
So what are your options as a client whose right to ethical therapy has been breached? As a patient, you may discuss the therapist questionable behavior with them. Also, you are free to seek counsel from a different health professional. Lawyers are also helpful in helping you chart a way out. Lastly, you may contact their professional association to ask questions or report a complaint.
For starters, if you are in a crisis or your life is threatened, involve law enforcement right away. If you wish to terminate the program, do not just abandon it or stop receiving their phone calls. Terminate in an amicable and adult manner. Inform the therapist that they breached your rights and consequently you wish to withdraw from the program.
It is difficult enough having to live with emotional wound and pain. Talking to a total stranger is also not easy; it takes courage and an enormous call for trust and that why this privacy should be protected at all cost. This is why anyone who takes advantage of their clients should not be allowed to practice. By reporting, we get rid of them one by one.
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