Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada, Third Edition

Since its initial release in 2004, Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada has filled a vital need for a single source on professional ethics and law relevant to Canadian psychologists. This important new edition reflects the fourth edition of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists and highlights discussions in the areas of diversity and social justice. An essential resource, it focusses on the most pertinent ethical and legal issues for Canadian psychologists, including decision making, consent, confidentiality, helping without harming, professional boundaries, diversity, social responsibility, and conducting research. An appendix includes discussion questions and reflective journal exercises to facilitate awareness of personal motives and biases relevant to making ethical choices. The EPUB edition is accessible.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Third Edition xv Acknowledgements xix 1 | Understanding Ethics Case Study: A Client in Need 2 Four Foundational Systems of Ethics 5 Teleology 6 Deontology 7 Virtue 8 Relational 9 Systems of ethics appraised 9 Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists 11 Principle I: Respect for the dignity of persons and peoples 13 Principle II: Responsible caring 14 Principle III: Integrity in relationships 14 Principle IV: Responsibility to society 15 Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists appraised 16 Summary 17 Case Studies 19 Professor under pressure 19 Negative outcomes 19 Reluctant parolee 19 2 | Making Ethical Decisions Case Study: Child Abuse 2 Ethical Reasoning 25 Listen / Relational 26 Feel / Virtue 26 Think / Deontology 26 Act / Teleology 27 Making Ethical Decisions 27 1. Identification of individuals and groups likely to be affected by the decision: Listen / Relational 28 2. Consideration of personal bias, stress, or self-interest: Feel / Virtue 29 3. Identification of relevant ethical principles, standards, and guidelines: Think / Deontology 30 4. Development of alternative courses of action: Think / Deontology 31 5. Analysis of likely short-term, ongoing, and long-term risks and benefits of alternatives: Think + Act / Deontology + Teleology 32 6. Choice of course of action: Act / Teleology 34 7. Action 34 8. Evaluation of the results of the course of action: Listen / Relational 36 9. Assumption of responsibility for consequences of action taken: Feel / Virtue 36 10. Appropriate action to prevent future occurrences of the dilemma: Think + Act / Deontology + Teleology 37 Summary 38 Case Studies 39 Offender treating offenders 39 Do your job 39 Need to know? 40 3 | Meeting Professional Standards Case Study: A Psychologist by Any Other Name 42 Professional Standards 44 Entrance standards 44 Practice standards 47 Practice guidelines 48 Professional Accountability 49 Ethics committees 50 Discipline committees 50 Complaints against psychologists 52 Case Study of a Complaint 53 Complaint 53 Investigation 54 Discipline hearing 54 Regulating Ourselves 55 Confirm the issue 55 Safeguard confidentiality 56 Consult with others 56 Address the issue 56 Involve others in an action plan 57 Summary 57 Case Studies 58 A good night’s sleep 58 Assessments under the table 58 Meddling misogynist 59 4 | Incorporating Legal Expectations Case Study: Haunted by Grief 62 Areas of Law 65 Criminal 65 Civil 44 Negligence 67 Duty of care 67 Reasonable care 68 Causation 68 Plaintiff’s conduct 69 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Legal Expectations 70 Intervention 70 Assessment 71 Suicide 72 Harm to third parties 74 Summary 76 Case Studies 78 Think of the children 78 Said too much 78 Wrong man 79 5 | Obtaining Consent Case Study: Parental Refusal 82 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Consent 84 Autonomy 84 Fidelity 85 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Consent 86 Standards of disclosure 86 Freedom of consent 88 Process of consent 90 Children 92 Dependent adults 95 Assessing competence 96 Summary 97 Case Studies 98 Eternal soul 98 Mind reader 98 On his own terms 99 6 | Protecting Confidentiality Case Study: Marital Secrets 102 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Confidentiality 105 Autonomy 105 Discretion 106 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Confidentiality 107 Third-party access to information 107 Client access to information 108 Legal proceedings 109 Group and family therapy 111 Children and dependent adults 112 Mandatory reporting of a child in need of protection 113 Technological threats 115 Summary 117 Case Studies 118 Cooking the books 118 Troubled student 118 Whose records? 119 7 | Helping without Harming Case Study: To Treat or Not to Treat? 122 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Helping without Harming 125 Beneficence and benevolence 125 Nonmaleficence and nonmalevolence 125 Diligence 126 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Helping without Harming 127 Establishing competence 127 Maintaining competence 128 Expanding services 131 Monitoring outcomes 133 Avoiding accusations of harm 134 Summary 136 Case Studies 138 Recovering alcoholic 138 Best for whom? 138 Tyranny of metrics 139 8 | Maintaining Professional Boundaries Case Study: New Business Partner 142 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Professional Boundaries 145 Nonmaleficence and nonmalevolence 145 Temperance 146 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Professional Boundaries 147 Practicing in isolated communities 147 Third parties 149 Teaching and supervision 150 Physical contact 152 Social relationships 152 Sexual relationships 154 Summary 156 Case Studies 158 Past catches up 158 Custody dispute 158 Nobody does it better 158 9 | Appreciating Diversity Case Study: Hearing Voices 162 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Appreciating Diversity 165 Respect 165 Nonmaleficence 166 Beneficence 167 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Appreciating Diversity 167 Group membership 167 Individual identity 169 Assessment 171 Intervention 174 Research 176 Summary 177 Case Studies 179 Real-world assessment 179 Protection from whom? 179 The cost of friendship 180 10 | Being Socially Responsible Case Study: A Shelter in Need 182 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Social Responsibility 185 Justice 185 Respect for authority 186 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Social Responsibility 187 Advancing the discipline 187 Access to services 189 Misuse of psychological knowledge 190 Social intervention 192 Social activism 194 Summary 197 Case Studies 198 Robbers Cave redux 198 The disruptive student 198 Banality of evil? 199 11 | Conducting Research Case Study: Political Violence 202 Duties and Virtues Fundamental to Conducting Research 205 Autonomy 205 Beneficence and nonmaleficence 206 Justice 206 Integrity 207 Relationships and Consequences Relevant to Conducting Research 208 Consent 208 Privacy 211 Confidentiality 212 Children and vulnerable persons 214 Scientific misconduct 216 Summary 219 Case Studies 220 Blow the whistle? 220 Safe youth 220 Proposal with potential 220 Appendix: Learning Resources 223 References 239 Index 251

About the Author :
Derek Truscott is a Psychologist and Professor at the University of Alberta. He has been practicing, researching, teaching, and writing about professional psychology for four decades. Kenneth H. Crook (1960-2008) was a trial lawyer with a Vancouver law firm. He lectured and wrote extensively in the areas of insurance law, civil procedure, and medical malpractice.

Review :
“Truscott writes in an accessible style, communicating ideas clearly and succinctly and giving examples that illuminate the concepts being presented.” “Derek Truscott is an expert in the field of ethics and effectively integrates hard-won clinical experience with scholarly objectivity.” “Ethics for the Practice of Psychology in Canada is one of a kind in the Canadian market and fills a critical gap. The author brings extensive knowledge and experience in writing about and handling ethical issues. Brilliantly written and organized, the text offers clear and compact, yet comprehensive coverage of the ethical systems of thought that underpin the CPA’s ethical code and our collective approach to core ethical issues in the profession of psychology.” "Students have always liked the book, which is a good supplement to the legislation, codes, and standards that they also read." “This important new edition reflects the fourth edition of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists and highlights current ethical discussions in the areas of diversity and social justice. It continues to do an excellent job of providing information in a manner that is easily accessible for graduate students who are new to the field of psychology and considering professional ethics and laws, while also being a useful guide for practicing psychologists.” Lara K. Robinson, Assistant Teaching Professor and Clinic Director, Psychology, University of Victoria