Professional and Ethical Issues: Overview

Psychology is a profession for which attention to professional and ethical standards of conduct is paramount. When people seek services from a mental health professional, they are usually in a vulnerable state and at times share information that they have never shared with anyone else. Clinical psychologists who provide psychological services such as assessment and psychotherapy must conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner to protect their patients’ well-being and private information and to create an open and trusting environment to facilitate a sound therapeutic relationship. Clinical psychologists who conduct research on topics related to abnormal and clinical psychology also must adhere to high professional and ethical standards to ensure that no harm is done to people who participate in their studies and to ...