Ethics and Professional Practice: Challenges in Psychology, Malta

This essay delves into the ethical and professional practices within the field of psychology, with a specific focus on the context of Malta. It examines critical issues such as confidentiality, exploring its limitations in cases involving potential harm or legal obligations, and the challenges faced by both experienced and inexperienced psychologists. The paper investigates the impact of media and technology, including social media, on the profession and the role of state psychology boards in maintaining ethical standards. It discusses the ethics of multiple relationships, the complexities of working with minors, and the distinctions between various types of psychologists, including clinical, counseling, health, and forensic psychologists. The essay provides insights into the unique responsibilities and limitations of each role, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and adherence to professional boundaries. The document highlights the importance of ethical guidelines for psychologists and is a valuable resource for students on Desklib.

Running head: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Ethics and Professional Practice
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Issue of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is becoming a growing issue in the profession of psychologist. The profession of
psychologist would not be in existence, if the psychologists are not capable of maintaining the
confidentiality in their therapies. As per my viewpoint, confidentiality is not just about content of
therapy, but also it includes the fact that the client is under the therapy session. For example, if
any client describes abusive behavior towards their children, the therapist is bound to file a report
with social services. In my opinion, psychologists should discuss with their clients the limitations
of confidentiality in the interests of safety and compliance with the law.
Limitations of psychologists
The patients going through the traumatic life changes are especially unwilling to share
their private feelings with others. The professionals are strictly restricted by the state laws to
protect the private information of the patients. However, inexperienced professionals often break
the laws of confidentiality causing issues to the patients. For example, the inexperienced
professionals often share the private information of the patients over the voicemail, which can
lead to the confidentiality issue for them.
Reputation of the profession
As per my research, a good reputation is harder to build than to destroy. Building a good
reputation needs efforts, time and patience. Therefore, psychologists behave ethically with their
clients and maintain the reputation of their profession. According to me, being loyal to one’s
own profession will always result in great success or otherwise it leads to issues with their
reputation.

2ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Trouble faced by inexperience psychologists
Based on my valuable learning, inexperience psychologists are bound to face trouble and
hassles in their profession at the beginning. Age and experience plays a factor in the starting of a
profession. Clients tend to accuse inexperience psychologists if they are not satisfied with the
solution. This also leads to legal trouble at times. In such situations, it becomes difficult for them
to balance. For example, many inexperienced psychologists in Malta have been alleged by the
state law for their issues with confidentiality. It has severely hampered their reputation in their
professional field.
Media Issues
After an extensive research, I found that we have become more dependent on technology.
Malta is also developing and hence more training on e-therapy is needed. Psychologists do not
make public views or statements about their activities that are not true or fraudulent. For
example, in Malta, psychologists use TV, radio and other media channels for educating the
confidentiality of the profession.
The State Psychology Boards and the Associations
In my opinion, the Board of Malta Psychology profession has an essential responsibility
where the Board decides seeing that one has the right requirements and needs to check on the
applicant’s skills and if he is mentally adequate. According to me, the board should keep an eye
on the new applicant’s eligibility.

3ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Ethics of multiple relationships
As per my learning experience, it is unethical in a psychologist’s profession to have
multiple relationships. This is a drawback for a psychologist as it might get him less clients if
others find out about the multiple relationships. Therefore, I feel the code of ethics protects the
psychologists and the client by maintaining boundaries, which is important.
Ethics and minors and the work of an educational Psychologist
There is a confusion between educational and child psychologists in Malta. In my
opinion, both should follow the common principle by giving importance and priority to children
and the advocacy principle for finding out the interest of the children. However, confidentiality
plays a complex role when the clients are minors and the parents are involved. For example,
patients, who participate in couple counselling or family counselling, expect to receive
information from the therapists that lay out confidentiality parameters of therapy.
The work of a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist
As per my research, there are well developed clinical and counseling psychologists in
Malta. They tend to overlap each other as both courses have similar study units. Although,
clinical psychologists aim on the pathological aspect and on the other hand, psychologists focus
on humanistic psychology. For a valid clinical assessment, the conversation between the clients
and the psychologists must be conceptual. However, both clinical and counseling psychologists
are required in Malta.

4ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
The role of a Psychology Officer
From my experience, I can state that unlike other professionals, a psychology officer after
completing the course of under graduation must not be warranted because of an absence of
specialized training. Therefore, they are limited in the area of competence. They still maintain
boundaries and cannot disclose any kind of personal information.
The role of a Health Psychologist
According to me, health psychology is the only sphere in psychology that deals with
physical health and is majorly affected by a bio psychosocial model. Unless there are threats of
physical harm, confidentiality is maintained. Consent of treatment was organized with every
client. In case of a minor, a consent form from the parents is usually needed. For example, the
mental-health professionals are not permitted to comply reflexively will every request of an
insurer for a treatment record of patient.
Psychologists and social media
As per my research, I observed that unlike other profession, psychologists are restricted
to social media. Although they are allowed to have an official page where they can post and
update articles related to their profession. They also advertise their workshops and conferences.
They are not allowed to talk to their clients on any social platform.
The role of work of a Forensic Psychologist
From my experience, I observed that Forensic Psychologists should be manipulative with
their clients and must be able to see their needs and weakness. Unlike other psychology
profession, forensic psychologists are generally encouraged to disclose all the relevant

5ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
information obtained to other professionals, which is not ethical. For example, forensic
psychologists are only allowed to share patients’ information, when it is related to any legal
aspect.