Dr. JacksonHN450

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Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

Systems Theory in Couples and Family Therapy

Views psychological problems as arising from within the individual’s present environment and the intergenerational family system

Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage LearningCorey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

Ethical Concerns

Ethical Standards of Practice Therapist Values Therapist Responsibility Gender Sensitivity Confidentiality Informed Consent Right to Refuse Treatment

Ethical Standards in Couples and Family Therapy

The AAMFT Code of Ethics (2001) provides a framework for many of the ethical issues human service workers are required to know and follow as they relate to the ethics codes of specific professional affiliations on matters concerning couples and family therapy.

The eight core areas of the AAMFT’s (2001) code include the following principles: Responsibility to clients (Principle I)

Marriage and family therapists advance the welfare of families and individuals. They respect the rights of those persons seeking their assistance, and make reasonable efforts to ensure that their services are used appropriately.

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Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

Ethical Standards in Couples and Family Therapy - Continued

Confidentiality (Principle II) Marriage and family therapists have unique

confidentiality concerns because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one person. Therapists respect and guard confidences of each individual client.

Professional competence and integrity (Principle III) Marriage and family therapists maintain high

standards of professional competence and integrity.

Responsibility to students, employees, and supervisees (Principle IV) Marriage and family therapist do not exploit the

trust of dependency of students and supervisees.

Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

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Ethical Standards in Couples and Family Therapy - Continued

Responsibility to research participants (Principle V) Investigators respect the dignity and protect the

welfare of research participants, and are aware of federal and state laws and regulations and professional standards governing the conduct of research.

Responsibility to the professions (Principle VI) Marriage and family therapists respect the rights and

responsibilities of professional colleagues and participate in activities that advance the goals of the profession.

Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

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Ethical Standards in Couples and Family Therapy - Continued

Fees (Principle VII) Marriage and family therapists make financial

arrangements with clients, third party payers, and supervisees that are reasonable understandable and conform to accepted professional practices.

Advertising (Principle VIII) Marriage and family therapists engage in

appropriate informational activities, including those that enable the public, referral sources, or others to choose professional services on an informed basis.

Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

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Therapist Values and Responsibility

Examine your values as it relates to family and marriage.

Do not impose your values on your families and couples you counsel

Your responsibility is to balance the rights and well being of the individuals with the family as whole

Video

Let’s watch a video of a family session

We will come back to share your thoughts on the session

Gender Sensitive

Assist both male and female participants in therapy move beyond stereotypical roles

Examine your values and beliefs about gender

Confidentiality in Couples and Family Therapy

Exceptions to confidentiality: When mandated by law When it is necessary to protect clients

from harm to self or others When family therapist is a defendant in

civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from therapy

When a waiver has been previously obtained in writing

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Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage Learning

Informed Consent in Couples and Family Therapy

Before therapy begins, the counselor needs to give information to family members about: Purpose of therapy Typical procedures Risks of negative

outcomes Possible benefits of

therapy

The fee structure Limits of confidentiality Rights and

responsibilities of clients

The option that a family member can withdraw at any time

What can be expected from the human service worker (therapist, social worker, psychologist, counselor, etc. )

12Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole-Cengage

Learning

Questions?