Ethical dilemma in the career of psychologists involves several critical aspects including the effect on the psychological service rendered. In a remarkable ethical dilemma where questions regarding what is good and what is wrong are entailed, I faced a conflict of making the decision whether to go on with the scheduled counseling session with Ayesha, who needs psychological assistance with regard to critical aspects in her life and career. It is a specific situation because the client’s father has asked not to continue with the counseling program. Therefore, the ethical dilemma in my case results from the conflict between my duty, as a responsible psychologist, to assist the neediest situation of my client and my duty to abide by the code of ethics, especially the code of ethics specified by the Australian Psychological Association which limit the free use of the psychologist’s jurisdiction in cases of disputes.
Therefore, the dilemma that I faced as a school psychologist dealing with the psychological issues of Ayesha has been the ethical choice needed to be taken between what is good and what is wrong – that is to say, whether to stick on to the decision of meeting the clients or to make a decision responding to the demand of Ayesha’s father. Any decision addressing the dilemma at hand needs to be the most thoughtful and judicious as the General Principle B: Propriety of the Code of Ethics explains. “Psychologists anticipate the foreseeable consequences of their professional decisions, provide services that are beneficial to people and do not harm them. Psychologists take responsibility for their professional decisions” (Australian Psychological Society, 2007)
The ethical dilemma involves various related aspects such as the dispute between the career choice and the cultural and moral aspects of Ayesha, her secret love affair with a non-Muslim boy, the progress of the counseling session, the necessity for psychological assistance to the client, the strong requirement of Ayesha’s father prohibiting the counseling with her, and the moral responsibility felt by me as a psychologist dealing with the serious issues of the client’s life. These are pertinent issues that need to be addressed in an investigation of my ethical dilemma.
The specific situation that I face, to be clear, represents a conflict between competing prima facie duties of fidelity and beneficence. Duty of care for a student whose welfare is at issue or whether the decision of the parent, as the client’s legal representative, should be respected and thus, resulting in complying with the parent’s request to immediately terminate therapy with the student.
Therefore, the ethical dilemma involves principles that were often stressed in my professional training. The ethical choice I make also requires broader justifications than my personal interests, and if it is influenced by my personal interest, the dilemma can never be adequately resolved. It is also necessary to note that the dilemma that I face illustrates how a human well-being can be threatened by essential human situations. The right aspect of the dilemma relates to my duties, including the duty of care which is most important. Similarly, the cultural values of the client are also relevant in this ethical quandary. The General Principle A of The Code of Ethics of the Australian Psychological Society directs me as a psychologist to “regard people as intrinsically valuable and respect their rights, including the right to autonomy and justice. Psychologists engage in conduct that promotes equity and the protection of people’s human rights, legal rights, and moral rights. They respect the dignity of all people and peoples” (Australian Psychological Society, 2007). Therefore, my specific dilemma expects me to approach the issue with great prudence and carefulness.
There are various ethical principles involved in the dilemma I face, and these are very relevant to consider in a decision-making procedure regarding the issue. For example, Principle B: fidelity and responsibility of the Code of Ethics ask me to protect the rights of all individuals and to modify our practices when necessary to ensure these rights are not violated nor these individuals harmed and to be responsible to society too, uphold professional standards of conduct (American Psychological Association, 2002). In order to adhere to these, I need to be judicious in my decisions and deeds. Fidelity that is, the keeping of a promise, will not mislead or lie to the other party, has priority over other prima facie duties. Ross’s theory of prima facie duty exhorts psychologists above all to keep promises they make to all parties to service, including clients, other parties, and themselves (Ross, 1939). It is necessary that the psychologist maintains a totally honest relationship with all parties concerned while determining the right course of action.
There is a question about how this matter of withdrawal of counseling is addressed with the parents, student, and school personnel. Therefore, as a psychologist who respects the Code of Ethics, I need first to address the case with the parent in question, ask them to arrange a meeting in person to discuss my reasons for terminating his daughter’s counseling. I should also explain to him that as a school psychologist, I must uphold the Principle of fidelity and responsibility to Ayesha. Along with this, as the matter concerns people like Ayesha, the father as he is the legal guardian, and the school personnel, I would make it clear that I can not just terminate counseling without discussing it further with all the three parties concerned. Another significant principle, i.e., Principle E: Respect for people’s rights and dignity, directs me to have complete awareness and respect for the knowledge, insight, experience, and areas of expertise of clients, relevant third parties, colleagues, students, and the general public.
Awareness of individual, cultural and role differences, including those due to race and ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, language, and socioeconomic status, are also necessary. An advocate of practices that are the result of unfair bias and may lead to unjust discrimination and therefore, these need to be considered (American Psychological Association, 2002). Thus, these principles are very important in the selection of the course of action. To be clarifying, as a psychologist, I have a legal and moral responsibility to try to understand and respect the cultural differences and difficulties Ayesha’s father (being Muslim) faces in our society, and that even while living in Western culture, he has the right to hold onto his religious and cultural beliefs and teach them to his children. However, the legal and moral rights of Ayesha and her position as torn between aspirations of her bright future as a gifted student and what her culture and parent expect of her, etc. also need to be addressed. It is in this background that my intervention as a school psychologist becomes relevant, and these principles help me in my decisions.
In a profound analysis of the specific ethical dilemma, it is significant to note that the dilemma is multi-dimensional, involving several people who are affected by the consequences of the issue as well as those whose duties are owed. Most considerably, the consequences of the dilemma are relevant to Ayesha, the client, her father, and obviously, to me as I am very much the central figure involved in the dilemma. The duties are owed to the client, her father, and the persons related to the issue, and they are all affected by the ethical dilemma. The Muslim community, their cultural and religious aspects etc are also involved in the dilemma, and therefore the choice relating to the ethical dilemma needs to consider all these multi faceted aspects of the issue. It is necessary to view these dimensions on the basis of the three general ethical principles as lay down by the code of ethics of APS (The Australian Psychological Society). Therefore, I need to respect the rights and dignity of people and communities, abide by the Principle of propriety, beneficence, non-maleficence, responsibility to clients, the profession, and society, and to express good character, acknowledging high level of trust intrinsic to the professional relationships. (The Code of Ethics: Preamble, pp 6-7).
An an analysis of the ethical dilemma, it is important to consider the various behaviours, behavioural antecedents are relevant or the clarifying dimensions of the situation. Therefore, it is necessary that the process of the counselling with client is considered in order to find the meaning of the ethical dilemma in a wider perspective. Ayesha has been in a dilemma herself, and it results from the conflict between her wish to continue with her career pursuit and the nature of her culture (as she belongs to Muslim rigid community), which does not encourage the higher studies of women. Also, significant is her relation with a non-Muslim boyfriend which also enhances the seriousness of the matter. As a responsible psychologist, it is my important duty to cater to the needs of her psychological condition. It is my right as well as duty to render the best possible psychological assistance to my client as she is in a critical dilemma. This is ensured by the prevailing law as well as the professional codes.
However, there are several norms of the profession as well as that of the community of my client which restrict me from the employment of my personal decision and recognized need for action. The ethical codes of the profession requires me to access the consent of the client and, in this specific situation where the client’s capacity to give the consent is impaired and limited by the cultural and familial forces, to get the consent of her father who is the legal authority to render the same. (The Code of Ethics: General Principle A, p 14). Also, the value system of the society and community my client belongs to need to be the concern in the actions I formulate with regard to dealing with the problem. The ethical dilemma needs to be discussed with people of high recognition in the field and more importantly, a dialogue with the client’s father, convincing him of the relevance of psychological need for his daughter and the ethical confidentiality of the psychological service.
“The problem with ethical dilemmas is that there’s never an easy answer to this question. You have to weigh your moral code of conduct with the consequences for the people involved.” (How to Solve an Ethical Dilemma, 1999-2008). Among the various alternatives of action, one prominent one is the dialogue with the client’s father convincing him of the significance of the particular situation. It seems to be the best alternative as the psychological assistance is as necessary as the issues involved in rendering the service. I cannot break the code of ethics and so it is important that I move along the safest path. The central hindrance in this alternative is the consent by the father. As he is rigidly particular that the counselling service does not continue, it is most uncertain if he understands the reality of the situation and grants the permission. The assistance of the respected members of society can very well be helpful to the situation. “When facing uncertainty, consult a colleague, refer to APA’s Ethics Code and document your decision, advised APA Ethics Committee members… They emphasized that psychologists who thoroughly consider the consequences of their actions are better able to effectively weigh competing ethical principles, avoid conflicts of interest and put clients’ best interests first.” (Bailey, 2004. p. 62).
The alternative action of going ahead with the scheduled client session cannot be considered as appropriate as it breaks the code of ethics as well as causes the loss of professional reputation. Most importantly it does not solve the dilemma. There are several personal values that I need to sacrifice for the cause of better and more efficient implementation of the action. However, an escape from the situation is not desirable, though there is every probability that it becomes an alternative. The consequences of action can be regarded or disregarded. Kant’s fundamental moral law calls for “an action without regard to its consequences… He believed…that the validity of this ethical Principle stemmed from the reason itself and from our nature as free, rational moral agents with inherent value.” (White, 1993). However, a complete disregard of the consequence of action is impossible as well as unreasonable.
The selection of the most appropriate action is most essential in an efficient management of the situation. It is therefore felt that the best alternative of dealing with the dilemma is facing the situation on the basis of the ethical code. The counselling session with the girl needs to be carried forward, and everything necessary to meet the ethical code of the profession needs to be carried out as well. Dialoguing with the client’s father and dealing with the cultural values and systems concerning the issue would maximize the scope for a better action to be carried out. “Counsellors are often faced with situations which require sound ethical decision making ability. Determining the appropriate course to take when faced with a difficult ethical dilemma can be a challenge… It is important to realize that different professionals may implement different courses of action in the same situation. There is rarely one right answer to a complex ethical dilemma.” (Forester-Miller & Davis). This means that the decision that most suits the purpose can be adopted when it does not break the code of ethics.
When the choice of action is reviewed, it becomes most clear that the choice that I have made, i.e., to go on with the psychological assistance to the client keeping the ethical code and resolving the multidimensional issues related, would be the best one in this circumstance. The course choice depends on the personal value and the implementing factors as well. Therefore, I strongly feel that the result of the choice that I have made, though it involves serious issues to be dealt with, would be most rewarding itself and I consider the choice I have made as the best possible one in the given situation as well as in my personal range. Of course, there are serious problems of implementation and the process of the course itself is highly demanding and challenging. However, the result and the reward I am expecting would justify the efforts and constraints in actions implementation.
References
The Code of Ethics: Preamble, The Australian Psychological Society Ltd. pp 6-7. Web.
The Code of Ethics: General principle A, The Australian Psychological Society, p 14. Web.
How to Solve an ethical dilemma, (1999-2008). By eHow Culture & Society Editor, eHow. Web.
Bailey, Deborah Smith. (2004). Approaching ethical dilemmas, APA Online. Vol. 35, No. 9, p. 62. Web.
White, Thomas. (1993). Philosophical Ethics. Chapter 1: Business Ethics, New York: Macmillan. Web.
Forester-Miller, Holly.m, & Davis, Thomas. Ph.D. A Practitioner’s guide to ethical decision making. Web.
American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and the code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060-73.
Australian Psychological Society. (2007). Code of ethics. Melbourne, Vic: Author.
Ross, W.D. (1939). Foundations of Ethics. Oxford: The Clarendon Press.