provision of professional services. Ethics guide how individuals are trained as
well as how they treat and interact with others. Ethical guidelines, then,
affect numerous activities in which professionals are engaged. This holds true
for providers from all professional groups who practice in the many forensic
treatment settings available.
As a forensic psychology practitioner, you need a firm
understanding of the professional ethics that guide your practice. Having such
an understanding as it relates to your professional identity will prepare you
to provide high quality, ethically sound, and ethically informed professional
services to the populations with which you choose to work. An understanding of
professional ethics also reduces liability risks and provides you with a
foundation for addressing challenges in a professional manner.
Review the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code
of Conduct. Pay particular attention to specific principles and guidelines that
pertain to the treatment of forensic populations.
Review the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists
from the APA’s Division 41 website. Note the guidelines specific to the
treatment of forensic populations.
Conduct an Internet search and locate additional ethical
codes related to forensic professionals (e.g., those who provide sex offender
treatment or juvenile offender treatment.
Please provide a description of at least two ethical
dilemmas encountered by mental health professionals who practice in forensic
treatment settings. Explain how each dilemma might complicate treatment in
specific forensic settings. Finally, describe how you would resolve each
dilemma using ethical principles and guidelines from the APA’s Ethical
Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the Specialty Guidelines for
Forensic Psychologists, and/or other appropriate codes of ethics.
