Code of Conduct: Exploring the
Ethical Principles of Psychologists
In any human-centered field, ethics are an important consideration, and psychology is no different. Psychologists have a unique window into their patient's lives and must carefully manage the dynamic between themselves and their patients to show respect and protect confidentiality. The ethical code that outlines the rules all American psychologists must follow is called the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. This code was first published by the American Psychological Association in 1953 and is regularly updated.
Understanding the APA Code of Ethics
To make it simpler, the APA divided the code of ethics into two main categories: principles and standards. The latter are strict rules for ethical conduct that can result in legal or professional consequences if they are broken. Principles are closer to guidelines that psychologists should follow to ensure they are acting in an ethical manner.
The idea behind each of the APA principles is to provide psychologists with a set of useful rules and guidelines that inform their daily client interactions and decisions. Any practicing psychologist or student of a Masters in Counseling Psychology online will understand the importance of the APA Code of Ethics.
An Overview of the Five Ethical Principles
The principles are divided into five sections to make them easier to follow. Each section addresses common concerns and core ethical principles that arise for practicing psychologists:
1. Beneficence & Nonmaleficence
The code of ethics states that “Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm.” In the same way that doctors swear to “first do no harm,” psychologists aim to help and avoid harming those they work with. They protect the welfare and rights of people and animals involved in their work. When conflicts arise, they resolve them responsibly to minimize harm. They should watch out for personal or external factors that could lead to them misusing their influence and make sure their own health doesn't affect their ability to help others.
2. Fidelity & Responsibility
The second principle states that psychologists should build trust with those they work with and understand their responsibilities to society and their communities. At the same time, they must maintain professional standards, clarify their roles, take responsibility for their actions, and manage conflicts of interest. They should collaborate with other professionals to best serve their clients and ensure ethical conduct among colleagues. They should also donate some of their time without expecting any remuneration or personal benefits.
3. Integrity
This principle simply states that psychologists should “seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice.” They should avoid manipulation or dishonesty in presenting results (especially in research) and should strive for transparency.
4. Justice
Psychologists recognize that all people are entitled to care based on needs, not income or ability. All people should have access to their work, and all clients should be treated with the same level of care and respect. Psychologists should avoid biases or take precautions against identified biases, understanding the boundaries of care they are able to deliver and their own professional limitations.
5. Respect for People’s Rights & Dignity
In a similar way to justice, Psychologists should “respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.” they should respect cultural, religious, disability, gender, and all other aspects that make people uniquely different. They must work to eliminate the effect of biases on these differences and never participate in or condone activities based on prejudices.
Who Benefits from the Code of Ethics?
The code is designed to govern the ethical side of psychological practice and research. That being said, it benefits a broad group of mental health providers, patients, clients, and researchers. The clear and concise principles highlight how psychologists must strive to interact.
The ten standards provide more details on topics like resolving ethical issues, competence, human relations, record keeping, assessment, therapy, and more. Some core elements are evident across the code, like client welfare, which addresses how to interact with different people from various backgrounds while respecting their needs.
Informed consent is another overarching theme. Psychologists are responsible for a range of services and treatments but must consider the consent of the people they are looking to help. Obtaining informed consent requires clearly explaining the services provided, the potential risks involved, and the patient’s right to discontinue treatment at any time.
Confidentiality is key when discussing sensitive issues in a safe space, and it has to be taken very seriously. There are times when psychologists will have to share client information for their own well-being or because they pose a risk to others, but knowing exactly when these moments arise is a challenge. Ethical guidelines outline when and how information can be shared and specify steps psychologists must take to safeguard client privacy.
Resolving Ethical Issues
When an ethical issue arises, or one party believes the code has been broken, they can contact the APA, state psychological association, or licensing board, who will investigate the matter. Generally, a complaint against a psychologist could be filed by anybody who suspects the code has been violated. Such complaints are subjected to a preliminary review by the APA Ethics Committee to make sure there is clear evidence of wrongdoing. The ethics committee can order an investigation that collects evidence, interviews witnesses, and consults experts.
A decision is then made, and if a violation is confirmed, consequences are imposed that could mean training, supervision, suspension, or license revocation, depending on the violation’s severity. Psychologists can appeal the decision if they believe it unjust or if new evidence emerges.
Evolving Ethics
Some elements of the code have not changed since its creation, but others may well change or new ones added to address new ethical challenges. Over the years, there have been multiple changes to the code. In 2024, revisions were made to guide ethical considerations for telehealth, with new guidelines around data privacy, confidentiality, emergency protocols for virtual sessions, and the importance of a private and secure environment for both parties during virtual appointments. These changes underscore the importance of keeping up to date with the ethics code and just how important it is to keep everyone safe.
