What Are the Ethical Pillars of Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy plays a super important role in the lives of many people, and if you are here, most likely, it is because you believe it too.

This treatment in which the word, guided through therapeutic tools, is the protagonist, has the power to help those who are going through difficult times to understand their emotions, overcome trauma or improve their general well-being.

During this process, the psychologist’s work is not only about listening, but about guiding patients in a process of self-understanding, change and evolution.

This is not an easy path to travel, as it involves dealing with deeply personal aspects of patients. Therefore, There are ethical pillars of psychotherapy that every mental health professional must follow to provide a quality, respectful and humane service. We will talk about this below.

Ethics as the foundation of psychotherapy

Being a psychologist carries a great responsibility, since we not only work with words, but with emotions, thoughts and, in many cases, with traumas that deeply affect the lives of patients. For this reason, ethics in psychotherapy is essential to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Ethics helps the therapist maintain a position of absolute respect towards the patient. avoiding prejudices and guaranteeing that decisions are always made based on what benefits the patient the most.

Furthermore, ethics not only refers to the direct relationship between therapist and patient, it also highlights how important it is for the health professional to stay prepared with the aim of being more comprehensive, being up to date with the advances in psychology. and, at the same time, be aware of your limits.

Ethical principles that every psychologist should know

The ethical principles of psychology are the fundamental guidelines that all professionals must follow in their daily work. When psychologists act according to these guidelines, they are not only helping their patients, but also the integrity of the profession itself.

Next, we will talk about some of these principles:

Beneficence: The patient’s well-being always comes first

The principle of beneficence is the heart of therapeutic practice. It implies that the psychologist must always act for the benefit of the patient, with the aim of improving their well-being and helping them overcome the emotional or psychological difficulties they may face.

Nonmaleficence: Avoiding causing harm

This principle is simple but essential. Psychologists must be very careful, since any action, even if it is unintentional, can affect the patient.

The principle of non-maleficence underlines the importance of acting with caution, avoiding any action that could result in emotional or psychological harm to the patient.

In other words, psychologists must think about the consequences of our words before speaking and of our actions before executing them.

Autonomy: Respect the patient’s decisions

Autonomy, definitely, is an essential principle that guarantees the patient the right to make decisions regarding their own treatment. It is necessary for a psychologist to always respect the patient’s choices, even if he does not share them.

Likewise, each patient has the right to decline or suspend therapy at any time if they feel that it is not beneficial or if it contradicts their personal values.

Justice: Equality for all

The principle of justice ensures that all patients are treated equally, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic.

The psychologist must be impartial and avoid any type of discrimination, treating each person with the same respect and consideration.

Confidentiality: Protect the privacy of the consultant

Everything the patient says in a therapy session must be kept secret by the psychotherapist. The only way you can disclose this information is if the patient has authorized it, or if there is a risk of harm to themselves or others.

This includes the case of the death of the patient, even after the death of a person, the psychologist is still obliged to maintain the confidentiality of what is shared during the sessions.

Integrity: Be honest and transparent

Act with honesty and transparency at all times. A psychologist must be honest about his or her skills, training, and professional limits. It is also essential that you maintain appropriate boundaries with patients to avoid any type of exploitation, whether emotional, personal or financial.

A therapist should never use their patients or the information they provide for personal gain.

Competency: Stay trained and prepared

Psychologists must always be up to date with the latest advances and practices in their field. Competence not only implies having theoretical knowledge, but also being able to apply that knowledge in a practical way.

Additionally, psychologists must be aware of their limitations and refer patients to another professional if the case exceeds their area of ​​expertise.

Responsibility: A commitment to the patient

The psychologist has a responsibility with the quality of his work, so he must ensure that each encounter is carried out with the utmost care and professionalism. Furthermore, responsibility also implies being aware of the consequences that your intervention may have on the patient’s well-being.

In the event that the psychologist must suspend or conclude his intervention, it is his duty to take appropriate measures to ensure that the patient is not left unprotected and can continue his process with another competent professional.

If you have read this far and you are a consultant, you have the right to know your treatment and decide about it. If you ever feel uncomfortable, it’s important to let them know.

And if you are a psychologist, remember that every action in therapy has a real impact. Always act with ethics, integrity and respect for the well-being of your patient.