Ethical challenges in psychotherapy. Therapists and patient’s perspectives

Abstract

Psychotherapy has a great impact on patients life and implies  a high potential of ethical risks.  Nevertheless, only recently we have studied ethical aspects of this professional activity considering therapists and patients’ perspectives. The present study aims to identify ethical challenges of psychotherapy, that is, things we can’t avoid to do as things we are not doing yet. In order to accomplish this objective a qualitative study was designed. 13 patients and 15 expert therapists from different theoretical orientations were interviewed.  The objectives of the study were: 1) to explore the notion of professional ethics that therapists hold; 2) to describe core aspects of professional ethics according to therapists and patients and  3) to identify mail ethical problems in psychotherapy due to the perception of therapists ad  patients. Results allowed us to identify ethical dimensions and principles shared by both therapists and patients.  Ethical problems were classified by content and values identifying different ethical educational needs.   Finally data is discussed suggesting a threefold commitment of therapist with the patient, with him/herself and with society.