Psychotherapy cults -- Ethical issues

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Psychotherapy cults -- Ethical issues

Postby Marina » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:43 am

Psychotherapy cults -- Ethical issues

http://forum.rickross.com/viewtopic.php?t=1039

Quotes

Table 1. Comparisons of Behavior across Categories of Conduct

Note: APA= American Psychological Association
ASGW=Association for Specialists in Group Work
NASW=National Association of Social Workers )


Ethical Standards--- Confidentiality

“Primary obligation to respect the confidentiality of information obtained.” APA

“Should respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.” NASW

Confidentiality: Common Violations

Unauthorized or casual disclosures to other professionals and associates.

Confidentiality -- Extreme Violations

Client right to privacy denied.

All issues in clients' lives seen as open for examination.

Material from counseling is freely discussed among professionals and clients.

Counseling material is used to threaten and coerce (e.g., blackmail clients into not leaving).

Dual Relationships - Ethical Standards

“Make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair their professional judgment or increase risk of exploitation.” APA

Dual Relationships --Common Violations

Dual relationships (social or business) with clients.

Role reversal: Client becomes emotional support for the counselor.

Dual Relationships --Extreme Violations

Multiple relationships encouraged and actually pursued.

Therapist gains additional power through multiple relationships.

Informed Consent--Ethical Standards

“Fully inform clients as to the purpose and nature of the evaluation and treatment; freely acknowledge that clients have freedom of choice.” APA

“Should provide clients with accurate information regarding the extent and nature of the services available to them.” NASW

Informed Consent -Common Violations

Therapist does not openly discuss theory, practice, or professional credentials.

Group norm is not to question the leader or treatment but to accept “therapy” as directed.

Informed Consent -- Extreme Violations

Clients are recruited by false advertising that offers low cost or fast results.

Therapist does not encourage individual goals and choice to participate or not to participate. Hidden goal is long-term therapy.

Leader expects unqualified commitment.

Competency--Ethical Guidelines

“Recognize boundaries of competence and limitations of their techniques.” APA

“Only provide services and only use techniques for which they are qualified by training and experience.” APA

“Group leaders shall refrain from imposing their own agendas, needs, and values on group members.” ASGW

“Should not misrepresent professional qualifications, education, experience, or affiliations.” NASW

Competency--Common Violations

Therapist practices beyond level or areas of competence.

All clients and all problems are treated as if they were the same.

Competency--Extreme Violations

Therapists (and clients) believe that “the therapy” can treat anyone without recognizing the need for specialized education and training for different populations.

Leaders see themselves as having the only true way to mental health.

Dependency and Autonomy -Ethical Guidelines

“Group leaders shall protect members' rights against physical intimidation, coercion, and undue peer pressure insofar as is reasonably possible.” ASGW

“Should make every effort to foster self-determination on the part of clients.” NASW

Dependency and Autonomy--Common Violations

Group minimizes individuals' competence to make decisions without consulting the therapist or group.

Referrals outside the group discouraged.

Cultivate focus on client problems and self-doubt.

Dependency and Autonomy--Extreme Violations

Clients' positive transference viewed as justified adoration.

Demand for purity and constant striving.

Create and perpetuate shame and guilt.

Financial Practices--Ethical Guidelines

“Make advanced financial arrangements that are clearly understood by their clients.” APA

“Should ensure that they [fees] are fair, reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with the service performed and with due regard for the client's ability to pay.” NASW

Financial Practices --Common Violations

Use questionable billing practices (e.g., increasing diagnosis for insurance payment, waiving deductible).

Financial Practices--Extreme Violations

Clients are encouraged to feel responsible for the financial well-being of the agency.

Professional Development--Ethical Guidelines

“Should take responsibility for identifying, developing, and fully utilizing knowledge for professional practice.” NASW

“Recognize the need for continuing education.” APA

“Maintain knowledge of current scientific and professional information related to services they render.” APA

Professional Development--Common Violations

Neglect training and current literature in the field.

Use new techniques without adequate knowledge or supervision.

Minimize what other professionals have to offer.

Professional Development--Extreme Violations

Hostile and condescending toward other therapy and techniques.

Accurate or complete knowledge of other theories forbidden.

Depreciate cognitive transfer of knowledge.

Separation/Termination--Ethical Guidelines

“The Social Worker should terminate services to clients, and professional relationships with them, when such service and relationships are no longer required or no longer serve the clients' needs or interests.” NASW

"The goal of treatment is independence from the therapist". ASGW

"Group leaders shall inform members that participation is voluntary and that they may exit from the group at any time". ASGW

"Group leaders shall help promote independence of members from the group in the most efficient period

Separation/Termination--Common Violations

Do not discuss termination or assist clients in preparing for termination.

No open discussion about how to judge when it is appropriate to leave group therapy.

Clients are encouraged to be fearful about life without the group.

Clients are blamed for any impasses in treatment.

Separation/Termination - Extreme Violations

Emotional threats and physical abuse if clients openly discuss leaving.

Ostracism and persecution of ex-members.

Clients unpredictably cast out of the group, causing fear in the remaining group members.

Therapy becomes a way of life.

Staff pressured to keep all clients.

Clients experience problems after terminating therapy related to the therapy received or the manner of the termination.

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