Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"I would really recommend this as an excellent class text and desk reference. I would describe this as a very comprehensive, up to date text on ethics that includes most mental health professionals. This was very thorough and well written....the inclusion of case examples throughout the chapters really brought home the points that the author was trying to make. The author was very skilled at going into depth while covering the ethical dimensions and did not merely provide superficial discussion." -- Kathleen M. Salyers, The University of Toledo-- Kathleen M. Salyers,

Ethical Reasoning for Mental Health Professionalsaddresses a fundamental need of ethics training in psychology and counseling: the development of reasoning skills to resolve the complex professional ethical issues that arise. Author Gary G. Ford provides readers with a background in ethical reasoning and introduces them to an easy-to-follow eight step model of ethical decision making. Key Features:

Covers philosophical models of ethical reasoning: Readers are provided with the needed background for understanding sources of ethical duties and the metaethical justification underlying the ethical code of their profession. Addresses APA and ACA ethics codes: A greater understanding between the professions of psychology and counseling is illustrated by covering current versions of ethical codes for both fields (APA, 2002 & ACA, 2005). Recommendations are given for those who wish to pursue certification, degree, or licensure in the other field. Exemplifies ethical dilemmas and ethical responses: Treats the issue of ethical dilemmas, in which two or more ethical duties actually conflict. Other texts present issues one at a time, supplemented by case examples involving 'right' and 'wrong' answers, leaving professionals ill-equipped to apply ethical principles to novel circumstances, particularly where multiple ethical duties conflict. Reflects the complexity of real-life situations: Numerous thought-provoking case examples help students apply ethical principles to novel professional circumstances. In-depth coverage of ethical concerns in assessment, therapy, industrial/organizational, teaching, research, and forensic activities is provided, as well as in emerging areas such as e-therapy and Internet research. Addresses multicultural concerns: The ubiquitous nature of cultural influences in our lives and professional activities is demonstrated. Readers are guided to identify cultural biases in their own life and the ethical principles and practices of the mental health professions.

Intended Audience: This text is perfect for students studying ethical issues in psychology and counseling, as well as a great resource for clinical/counseling psychologists, psychotherapists, and practitioners.

This text is perfect for students studying ethical issues in psychology and counseling, as well as a great resource for clinical/counseling psychologists, psychotherapists, and practitioners.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Ch 1 Introduction
• What is Ethics
• Ethics and Personal Values
• The Role and Values in the Practice of a Mental Health Profession
• Why do Professions Develop Ethical Standards?
• The History of Ethics in Psychology
• "Ethical Principals of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"
• Counseling: Code of Ethics
• Psychiatry: The Principles of Medical Ethics, With Annotations Especially Applicable to Psychiatry
• Social Work: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
• The Limitations of Ethical Codes
• Ethics and Law
• Summary
• Ch 2 "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"
• Introduction and Applicability
• Preamble
• General Principles
• Summary
• Ch 3 Counseling's Code of Ethics
• Preamble
• ACA Code of Ethics Sections
• The Existence of Ethical Conflict
• Summary
• Ch 4 Models of Ethical Reasoning and Their Effectiveness in Resolving Ethical Conflict
• The Philosophical Basis of Ethical Judgments
• Utilitarianism
• Kant's Formalist Ethical Theory
• The Need for Ethical Problem-Solving Skills to Address Conflicts Between Ethical Principles
• Ethical Relativism
• Ethical Contextualism
• Summary
• Ch 5 A Model of the Ethical Decision-Making Process
• The Purpose of the Model
• The Model
• A Case Example Applying the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 6 Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy and Counseling
• Informed Consent
• Confidentiality
• Multiple Relationships
• Conflict of Interest
• Competence
• Respect for Clients' Autonomy
• Termination
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 7 Organizational Settings and Special Populations
• Working Within an Organization
• Conflict of Interest
• Working in a Psychiatric Hospital
• Managed Care Practice
• Working in Forensic (Correctional) Settings
• Mental Health Professionals in the Military
• Psychotherapy With Children
• School Psychology and Counseling
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 8 Ethical Issues in Assessment and Testing
• The Value and Ethical Implications of Psychiatric Diagnoses
• Psychological and Educational Assessment and Testing
• Multicultural Issues in Psychological Assessment
• Ethics and Test Validity
• Use of Computerized Test Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation
• Report Writing
• Special Considerations in College Orientation Testing
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 9 The Use of Computer Technology in Professional Practice
• Specialty Guidelines for E-Therapy
• Beneficence
• Nonmaleficence
• Integrity
• Competence
• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Conducting Assessments Using the Internet
• Conclusion
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 10 Practice and Assessment in Organizational and Business Settings
• Working for a Business Organization
• Competence
• Consulting Relationships
• Special Considerations in Industrial/Organizational Assessment
• Entrepreneurial Practice of a Mental Health Profession
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 11 Ethical Issues in Teaching and Supervision
• Competence
• Informed Consent
• Multiple Relationships
• Confidentiality
• Professional and Scientific Responsibility
• Teaching Students About Values and Professional Ethics
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Supervision
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 12 Ethical Issues in Research
• Ethics, Values, and Theory Construction
• Conducting Research With Human Participants
• Protecting Research Participants From Harm
• Informed Consent
• Special Considerations in Conducting Research With Children
• The Use of Deception in Research
• Confidentiality
• Ethical Issues Concerning the Use of Student Subject Pools
• Ethics and Scientific Merit of Research
• Ethical Issues in Data Collection and Analysis
• Ethical Issues in Publishing Research Results
• Ethical Issues in Conducting Research on the Internet
• Ethical Issues in Conducting Animal Research
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 13 Mental Health Professions and the Law
• Legal Issues in Hospital Admission for Psychiatric Treatment
• Involuntary Hospitalizations: The Psychiatric Commitment Process
• The Rights of Psychiatric Inpatient Clients
• Ethical Considerations in Suicide Preventions
• Forensic Practice in the Mental Health Professions
• What if Ethics and the Law Conflict?
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Making
• Summary
• Ch 14 State Boards, Ethics Committees, and Ethics Complaints
• When Professionals Identify Unethical Conduct
• State Boards of Psychology and Counseling
• Professional Organizations' Ethics Committees
• Dealing Appropriately With a State Board of Ethics Committee Inquiry
• Legal Complaints Against Mental Health Professionals
• Avoiding Difficulties by Functioning as an Ethical Professional
• Practice Case Involving the Model of Ethical Decision Makings
• Summary
• References
• Appendices
• A "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct"
• B ACA Code of Ethics

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Gary G. Ford, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Stephen F. Austin State University. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, such as professional ethics, theories of personality, personality assessment, history and systems of psychology, human consciousness, existential psychology, and psychopathology. He is also actively involved in providing practicum supervision in the clinical psychology graduate program. Among the areas he has published in previously are professional ethics, substance abuse, psychological defense, existential psychology, and sports psychology. He served on the Editorial Board of Journal of Research in Personality for six years.Dr. Ford received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, and his M.A. in philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His interdisciplinary academic background in philosophy and psychology has provided him with a unique perspective on the complex task of developing an ethics book for mental health professionals that will enable them to reason effectively when confronted with the ethical conflicts that invariably arise in their professional practice. He has been a licensed clinical psychologist for nearly 20 years and has been affiliated with Veterans Administration Medical Centers and worked in private practice. He has served on IRBs and ethics committees in both hospital and university settings. He has administered psychology licensing examinations as an Oral Examiner for the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and conducted continuing education workshops in professional ethics.