Assignment:
Remember to Bisman and Randi post while being respectful of and sensitive to their viewpoints. Consider advancing the discussion in the following ways:
Post an article, video, or visual to reinforce a peer's idea or challenge them to see their point from a different perspective.
Engage in conversation with your peers about the potential harms and ramifications for failing to comply with the APA ethics codes. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
Bisman post:
I believe it is ethical to use interventions that are supported by research because clients are trusting psychologists to provide treatment that is helpful and safe. A therapist should not use a treatment simply because they personally believe it works. Research gives professionals evidence that a particular intervention has been studied and can be effective for certain concerns. The APA explains that evidence-based practice combines the best available research with professional expertise while also considering the individual needs, culture, and preferences of the client (American Psychological Association [APA], 2021). This is important because every client is different, so research should guide treatment rather than replace professional judgment.
Using research-based interventions can also help reduce the possibility of causing harm. Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to benefit their clients and avoid unnecessary harm. The APA's Ethics Code emphasizes beneficence and nonmaleficence, meaning psychologists should consider the well-being of the people they serve when making professional decisions (APA, 2017). For example, if a therapist is choosing between different approaches for anxiety, they should consider what research shows about the effectiveness of those approaches and whether the treatment is appropriate for that particular client.
The APA Ethics Code has a major impact on client care because it gives psychologists professional standards to follow. It addresses areas such as competence, confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, and the responsibility to base professional decisions on scientific knowledge (APA, 2017). These standards help protect clients and create a professional relationship where clients can feel respected and safe. The ethics code also reminds psychologists that they need to recognize the limits of their own knowledge and training. If a psychologist does not have the appropriate experience to treat a particular issue, they may need additional training, consultation, or a referral to another professional. This protects clients from receiving care from someone who is not adequately prepared to meet their needs.
Overall, I think research and ethics work together in psychology. Research helps psychologists understand which approaches are supported by evidence, while the ethics code helps make sure those approaches are used responsibly. Good psychological care should not only focus on whether a treatment works but also on whether it is appropriate for the individual client and being provided in a professional and ethical way. Need Assignment Help?
Randi Post:
Using research-supported interventions is an ethical responsibility because it helps ensure clients receive care that is safe, effective, and rooted in established professional knowledge instead of personal opinions or untested methods. The APA's ethical principles emphasize that psychologists should promote client well-being and avoid harm, which means choosing methods evaluated through scientific study (APA, 2017). When counselors rely on evidence based practices, they uphold core values such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, and integrity by making decisions based on reliable information instead of guesswork or bias.
The ethics code also directly shapes the quality of care clients receive by setting expectations for competence, fairness, and respect. Corey explains that the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of client outcomes, and counselors must intentionally build trust, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and maintain clear boundaries (Corey, 2023). These responsibilities connect to APA principles like fidelity, responsibility, and respect for people's rights and dignity, which require psychologists to avoid bias, protect confidentiality, and ensure equitable treatment for every client.
Recent research shows how ethics and evidence based practice intersect in real therapeutic settings. Aafjes-Van Doorn and colleagues (2024) found that therapists often feel less present and slightly less genuine during teletherapy compared to in person sessions, even though the working alliance itself remains just as strong. This suggests that ethical practice involves ongoing self-reflection, especially when the treatment format changes. Therapists need to pay attention to how teletherapy affects their ability to stay attuned and emotionally connected with clients. Dias et al. (2023) also found that clients' attitudes toward online therapy influence how connected they feel to their therapist and how strong the working alliance seems. This reinforces the ethical obligation to consider client preferences, comfort, and cultural factors when choosing interventions or treatment formats.
Overall, using research supported interventions and following the APA Ethics Code helps ensure clients receive care that is effective, respectful, and grounded in professional responsibility. Ethical practice is not only about avoiding harm. It is also about actively choosing methods that support client well-being and strengthen the therapeutic relationship.