Practical Ethics for Psychologists: A Positive Approach

Helps psychologists clarify what they value, consider how they should behave, and determine what constitutes proper professional conduct. This book is unique in stressing the importance of positive ethics?that is, ways in which psychologists can reach their highest ethical ideals, rather than just avoiding breaking rules. Using the 2002 APA Code of Ethics as a guide, the authors lay out a five-step model for resolving ethical dilemmas, illustrating the discussion with thumbnail sketches of both ethical and questionable behaviors. Throughout, they stress the importance of self-care, which involves self-regulation, emotional competence, and an understanding of the unique occupational challenges of being a psychologist. Provides guidance on dealing with ethically complex issues like competence, multiple relationships, informed consent, confidentiality (including confidentiality with life endangering patients), fees and financial issues, public statements, and risk management. Individual chapters are devoted to special issues for psychologists working in forensics, teaching, business, assessment, therapy, and supervision and training. This book is ideal for classroom use or self-study.

Samuel Knapp, EdD, ABPP, is the director of professional affairs for the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. He has authored or edited 16 books and about 100 articles and made almost 300 professional presentations on ethics and other professional issues. He was the editor-in-chief of the recently published APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology (2011). He holds a diplomate in counseling psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology, and he is a fellow of American Psychological Association Division 31(State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs).
Leon D. VandeCreek, PhD, ABPP, is a professor in the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University. He has authored or edited more than 20 books and about 200 articles and professional presentations. He was an associate editor of the recently published APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology (2011). He holds a diplomate in clinical psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology, and he is a fellow of several divisions of the American Psychological Association (APA). In 2005 he served as the president of APA Division 29 (Psychotherapy).