Ethics of Psychotherapy

Ethics of Psychotherapy

This essay has discussed and analyzed the ethical dilemma raised in the forty one episode of a TV show named In-treatment. The video has been discussed from an ethical perspective. In addition, the essay has reflected the situation in which ethical dilemma occurred. The essay has also discussed how the ethical dilemma was resolved in the video. The video analyzed in this essay has been taken from a TV show named In-Treatment. The TV show focuses on the psychotherapy of different patients. The show features the experiences of a psychotherapist named Paul. The therapist deals with his patients in an effective manner. The television show is based on different issues faced by the psychiatrist during different therapy sessions. This essay, is therefore, based on a discussion of different ethical dilemmas.

The episode of In-treatment has shown the treatment of a teenage girl named Sophie. The girl is attending therapy sessions. One of the ethical dilemmas raised in the video was sharing of gifts between clients and service providers. When Sophie arrived for the therapy session, she received balloons as gift from Paul, the therapist. The therapist used balloons in order to express gratitude and appreciation. The therapist perceived that by gifting balloons, he would be able to cheer up his client. However, giving sharing gifts between clients and service providers is unethical. The unnecessary favors given by service providers to certain client are also an ethical issue. However, if gifts are not too expensive and they cheer up clients, then they are acceptable. The rejection of gifts can be insulting; therefore, Sophie accepted balloons from Paul. This ethical dilemma was resolved because Sophie accepted the gift and took balloons with her.

Power relationship is also an ethical issue raised in the video. The power difference between clients and therapists is a significant ethical concern. It is perceived that therapists are always powerful than clients. However, the power of clients must be more than that of therapists. When Sophie's father entered the therapy session with her, the therapist did not ask about the consent of Sophie. Instead, he just denied her father to attend the therapy session. This demonstrates that the therapist played the power card. The ethical dilemma did not remain till the end of the video because when Sophie's father made another attempt to enter the therapy session, Paul allowed him. Meanwhile, he explained Sophie about her right to make the decision.

The other ethical dilemma raised in the video is autonomy. The father of Sophie tried to attend the therapy session with her. When the therapist denied him to enter into the room, Sophie's father convinced him that Sophie is comfortable with his presence. This has raised the issue of autonomy. It is the right of an individual to decide who could attend the therapy session. Sophie's father must not have spoke on behalf of Sophie that she was comfortable. Instead, he must have asked Sophie if she was comfortable his presence or ...