Ethics in Psychotherapy and Gender

Ethical codes of conduct governing professional psychotherapy and related services require practitioners to understand and appreciate the ways in which gender and gender identity (as well as a host of other client-related factors) may affect diagnosis and symptom identification, case conceptualization, and treatment selection and implementation. Failure to consider the ways in which gender affects these psychotherapeutic processes may result in harm to the client/patient and may be considered a violation of professional ethical standards. This entry focuses on the responsibilities of professional psychologists using the American Psychological Association’s Code of Ethics (hereafter, APA Ethics Code) and, specifically, gender-related ethical standards and responsibilities relevant to psychologists who provide psychotherapy. It should be noted that, in addition to psychologists, these standards and responsibilities may be applicable ...