Ethics Category
Searching for A Child's Best Interest in Adoption
Adoption defined in freedictionary.com is a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relationship between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit). For the purposes of this article, the underlying assumption includes no biological relationship with the adoptee. This author recognizes kinship adoptions but this article is specific to adoptee living in non biological families.
The sound of this definition is appropriate, legal, and simple. A child born to another family becomes legally bound through the adoption agreement to a family with whom there is no DNA or shared blood type. What you may find interesting is how adoption began.
The practice of adoption can be traced to ancient laws and the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi. Adoption functioned as a means to continue the family line. Even historically, the interest of the adoptive family superseded that of the a...
Addressing the Sacred During the Session
Part one in a three-part series.
The 14 Competencies and Why We Need Them
Whether clients want to address religion and spirituality directly, indirectly, or they are suddenly faced with questions of faith–due to a death, loss, or crisis–during an existing therapy process , clients are bringing the sacred into their sessions. According to research, in general, we the counselors, are not prepared to respond.
However, because we are not prepared by our schools to respond, doesn’t mean we don’t. Many of us, according to surveys, do address the issues. Some of us, with little self-reflection and awareness of how our own beliefs shape the issue, therapeutic relationship, and process of therapy as a whole. And our beliefs do shape, overtly and covertly, the counseling relationship, which is a key indicator in successful outcomes.
Recently, the American Counseling Association endorsed 14 competencies outlined by the the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and...
Should I See A Male Or Female Therapist?
(From the Downtown Therapy blog. Check it out to see more)
I was recently preparing a presentation for men who are training to become registered massage therapists – men being, until recently, a minority in a profession largely staffed by women. The idea was to discuss societal gender stigmas and the myths which arise from them (one, for example, being that “men are better at deep tissue massage than women” – not true).
Here are my thoughts on the matter, when it comes to choosing a psychotherapist:
First: There are always going to be personal preferences. Given the potentially long-term and intimate nature of the profession, if a client seeking a psychotherapist prefers the company of a man or a woman to seek help from, whatever that selection is based on is not mine to judge. From where I stand, for anyone seeking help, the freedom of having that choice is sacred. For some clients, being able to to make that choice is an important first step.
Seco...
My Friend Needs A Therapist - Will You Contact Them?
(From the Downtown Therapy blog. Check it out to see more)
Short answer: I can’t.
Longer answer: this question has been asked many times and in various forms (exchange “friend” for “wife”, “husband”, “child”), and each time I’ve been unable to accommodate the request. Why? Part of seeing a therapist is the idea of will and choice – the will to investigate something which we feel is bothering us, and the choice of whom to see for this service. If I were to go ahead and contact someone at the behest of a friend or relative, I would be imposing myself upon that choice and that will (symbolically at least).
Even if someone I contacted ended up never-minding my intrusion (and their friend’s intervention) and became a regular client, that initial lack of choice and will would probably linger in the therapeutic space. It could prove disruptive to the extreme, especially as they become more and more attuned to ...
The Finish Line
When I first became a hypnotist, I was offered the 'fast track to becoming successful.' I did not then do do I now have any interest in this. I am a strong believer in enjoying and learning from the process. For one thing the details of the 'process' is what makes up your life. For another thing, you get so much more from learning about what you did right and what you did not. This is ownership. Seems so many people are in such a hurry to cross the 'finish line.' Sorry folks there is no finish line (except of course maybe death). If you rush through every experience then that's just what it will feel like: like you rushed through it to get to the next thing. Maybe it's time to ask yourself a question: what is the next thing that you are rushing to?
Breathing Lessons
As I venture further into my love affair with Reiki, I am learning more and more about something we all take for granted, breathing. One of the nicknames for breathing is 'the elixir of life'. Another one is the 'path of life.' Breathing is so critical in our lives. Yet we often forget to do it (at least in a beneficial way). I am reading about methods to incorporate breathing into both my life and my Reiki practice that are fascinating and effective. You can survive on the oxygen that has accumulated in your skin cells for a very long time as long as you are able to tap that as a source. Breathing can work as a much more effective way to channel Reiki and thus heal both giver and receiver. Want to live a long, happy and stress free life? Breathe!
Energy Psychology: Correcting the views of the uninformed
In January, I wrote an article for the publication in the national psychologist about Energy Psychology. In a subsequent issue there was a scathing letter to the editor by Dr. Chambers that was full of errors and misinformation. In his letter, among other things, he asserted that:
“The fundamental concept of this modality, that manipulations such as tapping or eye movements can alter dysfunctional cognitions or emotional responses, has been repeatedly discredited in controlled peer-reviewed studies”
“Its [EP’s] current use in clinical practice may strain ethical boundaries.”
Chambers, M. (2012). Evidence lacking for Energy Psychology [Letter to the editor]. National Psychologist, 21(3),
Here was my response in the July issue:
Dr. Chambers’ letter, in the last issue, opens by saying he is “dismayed and concerned” that The National Psychologist would decide to publish a piece that advocates an energy psychology approach. He j...
Confidential Client Information on Kuwait Blogs
Like a double edged sword, the lack of standards for mental health workers in Kuwait puts both the client and the would-be "therapist" at risk. The absence of any locally offered graduate programs in psychology leaves the would-be "therapist" one of two choices: either leave Kuwait for several years of graduate study and APA approved internships abroad; or become a 'doctor' virtually overnight by getting an unauthenticated online diploma. Although online diplomas and degrees are not officially recognized in Kuwait--this legal stipulation has done little if anything to deter those who are interested in little more than getting a diploma that they can hang on the wall and start referring to themselves as "doctor". The trouble is that these 'online doctoral programs' somehow manage to convert 'life experience' into college "credit", conveniently ignoring the fact that professional ethics are not something that can be acquired sim...
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