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The Ethical Therapist

A guide to right and wrong psychotherapist behavior.

Trust
Is This Therapy or Something Else?

Sharon K. Anderson on August 28, 2013

People wonder if what they see happening with a family member or friend, or what they are experiencing themselves with a therapist is professionally appropriate. It’s disheartening when the behaviors people ask about are what we call “red flags.”

People wonder if what they see happening with a family member or friend, or what they are experiencing themselves with a therapist is professionally appropriate. It’s disheartening when the behaviors people ask about are what we call “red flags.”

Trust
“Do People REALLY Talk to You?!”

Sharon K. Anderson on April 24, 2013

She asked, “Do people really talk to you?” I took a brief second to collect my thoughts, and responded with an enthusiastic “Yes, people do talk talk to me.” With the elevator still moving to her designated floor, she asked her next question, “Why?”

She asked, “Do people really talk to you?” I took a brief second to collect my thoughts, and responded with an enthusiastic “Yes, people do talk talk to me.” With the elevator still moving to her designated floor, she asked her next question, “Why?”

Therapy
Let's get 'em while they're hot!

Sharon K. Anderson on January 5, 2013

Where’s the ethical line between effective networking and subtle manipulation for psychotherapists? What's ethical in promoting our professional services? When the emotional connection is already there in a non-therapy context, is it ethical to use it-or is that manipulation?

Where’s the ethical line between effective networking and subtle manipulation for psychotherapists? What's ethical in promoting our professional services? When the emotional connection is already there in a non-therapy context, is it ethical to use it-or is that manipulation?

Forgiveness
Clients Ask the Darndest Questions

Sharon K. Anderson on July 4, 2012

Clients can ask questions that catch us off guard like, "Can I have a ....?" "Could you help me with ....?" of "Do you have some .... ?" How might we respond ethically and what did we do to prompt these questions?

Clients can ask questions that catch us off guard like, "Can I have a ....?" "Could you help me with ....?" of "Do you have some .... ?" How might we respond ethically and what did we do to prompt these questions?

Ethics and Morality
To Give or Not to Give Advice

Sharon K. Anderson on May 10, 2012

Is it ethical for a therapist to share their opinions with, or give advice to, clients?

Is it ethical for a therapist to share their opinions with, or give advice to, clients?

Ethics and Morality
My Boundaries Are...

Sharon K. Anderson on October 21, 2011

The therapist has the professional responsibility to keep the client’s well-being as the primary focus of the relationship. When a psychotherapist loses sight of this responsibility, a boundary lapse is likely to happen

The therapist has the professional responsibility to keep the client’s well-being as the primary focus of the relationship. When a psychotherapist loses sight of this responsibility, a boundary lapse is likely to happen

Motivation
Ending Therapy: Two Good Reasons to Fire Your Psychotherapist (And How to Say "Goodbye")

Sharon K. Anderson on May 16, 2011

The process of ending psychotherapy is a relatively neglected topic. Therapists might miss some obvious signs that psychotherapy should end and clients might not be sure of how to bring up the topic. We provide two reasons for ending therapy and suggest exiting strategies for clients if they aren't sure how to bring up the issue.

The process of ending psychotherapy is a relatively neglected topic. Therapists might miss some obvious signs that psychotherapy should end and clients might not be sure of how to bring up the topic. We provide two reasons for ending therapy and suggest exiting strategies for clients if they aren't sure how to bring up the issue.

Ethics and Morality
Colleague seeks ethical therapists

Sharon K. Anderson on January 14, 2011

Colleague searches for ethical therapists and has two very different encounters. One experience shines with GREEN FLAGS and the other--well, with RED FLAGS.

Colleague searches for ethical therapists and has two very different encounters. One experience shines with GREEN FLAGS and the other--well, with RED FLAGS.

Education
The Right Choice?

Sharon K. Anderson on September 17, 2010

The right choice or mismatch with the profession?

The right choice or mismatch with the profession?

Therapy
When necessary-It's OK to "FIRE" your psychotherapist

Sharon K. Anderson on June 27, 2010

 The good news is that most psychotherapy has good outcomes. The not-so-good news is that sometimes therapy doesn't work, or does harm.  When therapy is not working, or when you think your therapist is behaving unprofessionally, it's OK to "fire" them and look for another therapist.

 The good news is that most psychotherapy has good outcomes. The not-so-good news is that sometimes therapy doesn't work, or does harm.  When therapy is not working, or when you think your therapist is behaving unprofessionally, it's OK to "fire" them and look for another therapist.

Therapy
Frustrated Client wants help and some answers!

Sharon K. Anderson on June 11, 2010

Good therapy takes hard work by the client and therapist and getting better through therapy doesn't always mean feeling good right at the start.  Psychotherapy is rarely a smooth process. Like the stock market, it will have some ups and some downs. But one thing is always necessary-a therapeutic relationship that feels safe for the client.

Good therapy takes hard work by the client and therapist and getting better through therapy doesn't always mean feeling good right at the start.  Psychotherapy is rarely a smooth process. Like the stock market, it will have some ups and some downs. But one thing is always necessary-a therapeutic relationship that feels safe for the client.

Therapy
To Skype or not to Skype…that is the question

Sharon K. Anderson on May 15, 2010

When a client  is moving to another locale and requests that therapy continue via teleconferencing...what's the ethical choice? 

When a client  is moving to another locale and requests that therapy continue via teleconferencing...what's the ethical choice? 

Friends
“I’m shopping for a psychotherapist…What should I look for?”

Sharon K. Anderson on May 4, 2010

On more than one occasion, we have been asked the question, "What should I look for when I shop for a psychotherapist?" Based on our experience and reading, we have developed a list of issues or criteria for our colleagues, friends, and acquaintances to consider. The list includes "green flags" (professional behaviors and attitudes that prospective or current clients should expect from a psychotherapist) and "red flags" (professional behaviors and attitudes that prospective or current clients should take note of and either not hire the professional or strongly consider ending therapy at the next session).

On more than one occasion, we have been asked the question, "What should I look for when I shop for a psychotherapist?" Based on our experience and reading, we have developed a list of issues or criteria for our colleagues, friends, and acquaintances to consider. The list includes "green flags" (professional behaviors and attitudes that prospective or current clients should expect from a psychotherapist) and "red flags" (professional behaviors and attitudes that prospective or current clients should take note of and either not hire the professional or strongly consider ending therapy at the next session).

Ethics and Morality
What Do You See: Red Flag or Green Flag?

Sharon K. Anderson on March 31, 2010

It's easy to see psychotherapists who behave unprofessionally as mean people. But very often they don't mean to be unethical. Sometimes they get caught on a "slippery slope." We've all seen situation comedies where a person tells a small lie, but then has to tell bigger and bigger ones and finally is caught in the web. Sometimes unethical behavior is like that.

It's easy to see psychotherapists who behave unprofessionally as mean people. But very often they don't mean to be unethical. Sometimes they get caught on a "slippery slope." We've all seen situation comedies where a person tells a small lie, but then has to tell bigger and bigger ones and finally is caught in the web. Sometimes unethical behavior is like that.

Therapy
Ethical Therapist: Fact or Fiction?

Sharon K. Anderson on March 9, 2010

I love stories. I love ethics. And I especially love good stories about ethics and ethical issues.

I love stories. I love ethics. And I especially love good stories about ethics and ethical issues.