Ethical Codes and Psychotherapy

Background: Ethics is considered in detail in medicine, and it is needed to be respected carefully in psychology and psychotherapy. Ethics code provides a common set of principles and standards upon which psychologists build their professional and scientific work. This ethics code is intended to provide specific standards to cover most situations encountered by psychologists. This study aims to consider general principles and specific ethical issues in psychotherapy and consulting. Conclusion: General principles that should be respected by all psychologist and therapist are as followed; beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, respect for people’s right and dignity. Specific ethical issues in psychotherapy; informed consent in therapy, privacy and confidentiality, avoiding harm, unfair discrimination, sexual harassment.

Keywords:

Ethical principles , Psychotherapy , Privacy , Informed consent