Code of Ethics in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology
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Introduction
This paper discusses in details the existing code of ethics which psychologist must follow in
order to bring about personal and social benefits in order to solve various ethical dilemmas.
Psychologists should thus follow the set code of ethics at all times. This paper also appraises this
particular statement by critically drawing Singapore as a multicultural environment (Aoyagi &
Portenga, 2010). Various APA and BPS ethics code have been highlighted. These are quite
significant to the career of psychologists in bringing various merits at the cultural level.
Psychologists follow these code of ethics and Cornel ethical decision making model in order to
make the cultural society a better place government by proper ethical behavior.
Responsible psychologist practices needs the psychologist to base the actions on critically
informed, sound and responsible decision, consultation with other colleagues, maintenance of
personal knowledge and skills, active engagement in self-evaluation and also remain transparent.
During making of ethical decisions, the psychologist should be ready to include the client in the
existing ethical decision making process. The available clients require adequate information
regarding the therapeutic process in order to have a good flow in making better decisions. The
existing informed process starts with the intake interview and also continues through time frame
scheduled for the therapeutic relationship to take place (Barnett, & Molzon,2014). The main
objective is to actively ensure that the clients participates in a collaborative partnership. Another
aim is to make ethical decision with clients and not necessary make a decision for them. The
psychologist ability to respect the autonomy of the client literally indicates that the psychologist
neither decides for clients nor fosters dependent attitudes and conduct. Cornel et al(1998)Eight
steps in making ethical decision s ought to be quite a collaborative process between the

psychologist and the client.therefore,it is important that the psychologist utilizes the ethical
decision making model in order make informed decisions when faced with a particular ethical
dilemma.
Ethical dilemma:Homosexuality
It is a fact that ethical dilemmas may not at all tomes be readily resolved through the utilization
of codes of ethics (Bartolo,2010). The following frameworks is quite useful in order to analyze
and make informed ethical decisions based on the model
Steps
Identification of the current problem
Identification of the existing potential issues involved
Review applicable moral rules.
Analyze relevant laws and regulations
Acquire consultation from colleagues
Focus on possible and probable courses of action
Identify the implications of the given probable course of action
An Ethical Decision Making Model
Problem
In this case, the problem at hand is the issue of homosexuality. A certain gay couple in therapy
w admits that they are having gay sex, which is criminalized.

Issues
It is evident that societal attitudes towards the issue of homosexuality differ across various
cultures and generations. Various cultures have their own values on either appropriate or
inappropriate sexuality. Some communities usually sanction same sex love while others do not
condone such particular and is considered as a taboo.
It is evident that various prescription sand proscription s are normally offered to people regarding
their gender, age, social class and sexual orientation issues.
Many of the global culture have associate d the homosexuality with unacceptable norms. Various
religion such as those influenced by Abrahamic tradition disapprove homosexual acts and
relationships in most case emphasizing on severe punishments to those individual caught having
same sexual encounter various studies have done extensive research regarding the prevalence of
acceptance and disapproval of this particular act. They have argued that it highly correlates with
demographic, psychological and social domains.
As a psychologist one should be aware on the examining the underlying motivations towards
gays hostility from the community. Homosexuals are widely criticized and stigmatized in the
society
Moral
In this particular society where the clients are from, homosexuality is regarded to be highly
immoral.