Practical Ethics for Psychologists: A Positive Approach

by Samuel J. Knapp EdD, ABPP, Randy Fingerhut

Overview

The fourth edition of this seminal book, guided by the APA Ethics Code and a social justice perspective, shows psychologists how to achieve higher standards of ethical practice in their everyday work.

Advocating a positive, proactive approach to ethics, Samuel Knapp and Randy Fingerhut go beyond the minimal ethical requirements in clinical practice, research, education, forensic psychology, consultation, and other areas. Through vivid case examples, they explore ethical dilemmas that psychologists must face regarding issues including informed consent, confidentiality, maintaining competence, and protecting the welfare of clients and society at large.
The authors present three models to guide psychologists:

• the ethics acculturation model for balancing personal and professional ethics;
• the five-step decision-making model for navigating complex ethical quandaries; and
• the quality enhancement model for managing risk, particularly with patients who may cause harm to themselves or others.

This edition offers an enhanced focus on social justice as an ethical responsibility, expanded guidelines related to health care technologies, and greater emphasis on psychologist self-care. Psychologists will learn how to collaborate with and empower patients, research subjects, students, and others impacted by their work, ensuring that they are actively engaged in ethical decisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433842498
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	11/28/2023
Edition description:	Fourth
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Samuel Knapp, EdD, ABPP, is a retired psychologist and was director of professional affairs for the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. He has written or edited 16 books and more than 100 peer reviewed articles and made almost 500 professional presentations on ethics, suicide prevention, and other professional issues. He authored Suicide Prevention, was editor-in-chief of the APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology, and coauthored Ethical Dilemmas in Psychotherapy. He holds a diplomate in counseling psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Knapp received the APF Gold Medal Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Practice of Psychology in 2021.
 
Randy Fingerhut, PhD, is a professor of psychology at La Salle University. He teaches ethics and psychotherapy courses and supervises graduate students within their doctoral program. Dr. Fingerhut’s research interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and self-care for graduate students. Dr. Fingerhut is a fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, an adjunct faculty member of The Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and has been practicing and training others in cognitive behavior therapy for over 20 years. He is a fellow of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, serving on their Ethics and Legislative and Governmental Affairs committees.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. The Legal Floor and Positive Ethics
Chapter 2. Foundations of Ethical Behavior
Chapter 3. Social Justice
Chapter 4. Applying Ethical Theories to Ethics Codes and Ethical Decision Making
Chapter 5. Competence
Chapter 6. Informed Consent or Empowered Collaboration
Chapter 7. Multiple Relationships and Professional Boundaries
Chapter 8. Confidentiality, Privileged Communications, and Record Keeping
Chapter 9. Life-Endangering Patients
Chapter 10. Psychological Testing and Assessment
Chapter 11. Forensic Psychology
Chapter 12. Special Topics in Psychotherapy
Chapter 13. Business Issues
Chapter 14. Psychologists as Educators
Chapter 15. Consultation and Clinical Supervision
Chapter 16. Research and Scholarship
Afterword: Fulfilling Psychology’s Ethical Ideals
References
Index
About the Authors

What People are Saying About This

Jeffrey N. Younggren

This current revision has made a great book even better. The authors' optimistic views of ethics and risk management remain a refreshing approach to ethical problem solving and ethical dilemmas. It is a must-read for both early career and senior mental health professionals.

Eric Y. Drogin

“Practical” and “positive” are but two of the adjectives that apply to the newly published fourth edition. “Insightful,” “in-depth,” and indeed “indispensable” further describe this critically important resource.

Linda K. Knauss

To keep psychologists current with the changes and challenges in the field, the fourth edition of this valuable book includes a focus on culture and diversity, ethical issues regarding new health care technologies, and the necessity of self-care. The authors encourage psychologists to go beyond just following the rules to avoid punishment and strive to achieve their highest ethical aspirations. Through vignettes the reader can see how ethical principles apply to everyday situations and can expand their ethical decision-making skills. Students as well as professionals will benefit from the many practical examples of situations often faced by psychologists.

Thomas F. Nagy

These well-known authors have written yet another book that simplifies complex issues and includes many tales of psychologists attempting to deal with perplexing everyday situations. They help readers clarify personal values and discover how they align or conflict with ethics and laws, informing professional conduct in various roles. Understanding the culture of ethics is crucial in developing competence and addressing the range of lifestyle changes in today's psychological ecosystem.

Mitchell M. Handelsman

Both trainees and professionals will find much value in this book, including comprehensive coverage of the APA Ethics Code, an update on the empirical literature concerning ethical practice, and an appreciation of how humans make ethical decisions in the real world.

Jeffrey E. Barnett

This easy-to-read book is filled with practical case examples that bring ethics alive. Practicing psychologists and psychologists-in-training will find it a useful guide for how to prepare for and respond to the many ethical challenges and dilemmas we each will face.

Editorial Reviews

To all those who want to practice ethically and to have a framework for addressing the many complex ethics issues and dilemmas that arise in the practice of psychology, this book is for you. Practical Ethics for Psychologists lives up to the promise of its title and really does provide very practical and user-friendly guidance for addressing and responding to the ethics issues common to the practice of psychology today, with each issue illustrated by realistic and relatable case examples. Every psychologist and psychologist-in-training should purchase and regularly read and use this book.
 

Jeffrey E. Barnett

To keep psychologists current with the changes and challenges in the field, the fourth edition of this valuable book includes a focus on culture and diversity, ethical issues regarding new health care technologies, and the necessity of self-care. The authors encourage psychologists to go beyond just following the rules to avoid punishment and strive to achieve their highest ethical aspirations. Through vignettes the reader can see how ethical principles apply to everyday situations and can expand their ethical decision-making skills. Students as well as professionals will benefit from the many practical examples of situations often faced by psychologists.

Linda K. Knauss

This book should be on the bookshelf of every practicing psychologist. It is chockful of timely, current, practical, and common sense advice on how to practice psychology consistently with both the law and ethics. It is truly, once again, a winner!

Jeffrey N. Younggren

Practical” and “positive” are but two of the adjectives that apply to the newly published fourth edition. “Insightful,” “in-depth,” and indeed “indispensable” further describe this critically important resource.

Eric Y. Drogin

These well-known authors have written yet another book that simplifies complex issues and includes many tales of psychologists attempting to deal with perplexing everyday situations. They help readers clarify personal values and discover how they align or conflict with ethics and laws, informing professional conduct in various roles. Understanding the culture of ethics is crucial in developing competence and addressing the range of lifestyle changes in today's psychological ecosystem.

Thomas F. Nagy

Both trainees and professionals will find much value in this book, including comprehensive coverage of the APA Ethics Code, an update on the empirical literature concerning ethical practice, and an appreciation of how humans make ethical decisions in the real world.

Mitchell M. Handelsman