A code of ethics for a psychologist does exist, contrary to the doubts of many. He approves the main norms of morality, the rules of conduct that a specialist must observe when doing his job. However, the paradox is that in our country no sanctions are provided for its violation. If in the United States the code of ethics of a psychologist must be strictly observed, since otherwise you can pay not only your reputation, but also analyze the circumstances of the case in court, then in Russia the publication of misconduct is considered the highest punishment.
So, the activity of a psychologist is based on the basic principles that provide for the protection of human rights, his personal life. The most important rule, compliance with which is necessary when consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist, is considered confidentiality. This rule implies the absolute non-disclosure of information received from the client. The patient will be able to truly open up, only knowing that beyond two people his words will not spread. If a specialist needs additional consultation with a colleague, he is obliged to inform the person about such a need and inquire about the possibility of its implementation. Only with the consent of the client can information be disclosed. Many psychologists often write scientific papers based on personal experience, that is, examples from life. In this situation, specifying names will be unnecessary and illegal.
The code of ethics of the psychologist also includes the principle of competence, which implies full responsibility for the method of work he has chosen. In addition, he must clearly understand where the verge of his qualifications ends and what issues he is not aware of. Any advice from a psychologist can have a profound effect on the patient. That is why everything that the client does, relying on the instructions of a specialist, remains on the conscience and responsibility of the latter. He must always remember that he is able to influence the fate of a person, and this is very serious. During the implementation of the work and the reception, the specialist does not have the right to show a personal negative attitude towards the client or otherwise intentionally harm his health.
The code of ethics of the psychologist is based on the principle of respect for the individual. If he is faced with a situation in which moral standards are discordant with professional responsibilities, it is necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons and make a decision that would maximize the well-being of the client. That is, you must remember the commandment "do not harm your neighbor." The activities of a qualified psychologist should not be influenced by the religious, national, or gender of the person being consulted.
It is worth remembering about professional cooperation, which involves a respectful attitude to colleagues and their methods of work, regardless of their own competence or opinion. Public scoring of sharply negative feedback about the work of another specialist is considered a morally unreasonable act.
And most importantly: when working with each client, the psychologist is obliged with all responsibility and interest to approach his problems or ailments. He must develop a plan that clearly outlines the main problems, methods for solving them and the intended end result. All this should be discussed with the client, because he must be fully informed about what they want to come to, he must agree with the goal. Then the process of understanding the cause of the problem and the implementation of measures to eliminate it will be much faster and more efficient.
In addition, you should not force a person to speak on a particular topic, you can invite him to do this. In case of refusal, you should wait for the moment when he will be ready for a conversation on a specific topic. And it doesn’t matter how long it takes, because everyone has their own term. Thus, the psychologist in his work is based on the principle of voluntariness and the client’s desire when carrying out any work with him.