As psychologists, our job is to provide you with a safe space where you feel protected. A key piece of information that we closely follow in our practice is the Canadian Code of Ethics. In this video, Dochas owner and Psychologist, Kim Long talks about the Code of Ethics in therapy and how this affects you as a client.
What Do I Need to Know About Ethics In Therapy?
Have you ever thought about what life would be like without ethics? It would be chaos – almost like that movie “The Purge.” Now imagine therapy without ethics.
Ethics are about how we behave, like rules of conduct. Ethics basically lays out what is morally right or wrong. Here’s the catch – what is morally right or wrong really depends on your point of view. Is it more ethical to save one person from the train tracks, or to save more people? What if that one person was your grandma? The answer isn’t so clear.
So, why should you care about the Code of Ethics? Well, the reality is, if we could do whatever we wanted a lot of people could get hurt. Our ethics code is about protecting YOU as a client.
Each profession and country has its own Code of Ethics. While this video might be reaching you in a country outside of Canada (hello to you all!), this video focuses on the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. It is based on the American version, but there may be some differences.
The 4 Principles of Our Ethics Code
In Canada, our Code of Ethics is based on four principles. These principles guide our decision making:
- Respect for the Dignity of Persons
- Responsible Caring
- Integrity in Relationships
- Responsibility to Society
If these principles are ever in conflict, which they often are, we are expected to weigh them in this order, where respect and responsible caring have more weight than integrity in relationships and responsibility to society. This might seem a bit strange, right? Well, it’s because the code believes that dignity and well being of a person should not be sacrificed for the sake of society.
You Should Always Feel Protected In Your Sessions
Again, the Code of Ethics exists to protect YOU. If you ever believe your therapist isn’t acting in a way that meets our code, then I invite you to first try talking with them. If that isn’t possible or you don’t feel heard, another option you have is to contact our College. Our College ensures that we are following the guidelines of the code, and is there to hear your concerns.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dochas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs are meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
About Dochas Psychological Services
Dochas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dochas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
About the Author
This blog was written by Kim Long. Kim is the owner of Dochas Psychological Services. To learn more about her, check out her bio!
