PSY FPX 5110 Assessment 3 Ethical Dilemma In The Workplace Setting

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 5110 Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Maddie’s Case Overview

Maddie, a 22-year-old, is experiencing depressive symptoms.
She is seeking assistance through psychedelic therapy to address these symptoms.
Shortly after starting therapy, Maddie discloses to me that she is having suicidal thoughts.

Ethical Concerns

Competence
Professional knowledge of Maddie’s cultural factors
Maintaining Competence
Keeping up with this knowledge
Maintaining Confidentiality
Evaluating the ethics of sharing the information Maddie has disclosed
Discussing Limits of Confidentiality
Informing the patient that if she discloses information that endangers herself or others, confidentiality may be breached.

Deontology or Rule Based Theory

Position to do what is right
It is not moral to deceive others
Rational autonomous decisions

Utilitarian Theory

Depends on consequences of actions
Minimal risk is acceptable if it could benefit individuals or society
Greatest possible balance creating greater good

Comparison of Deontology & Utilitarian Theory

(Lefkowitz, 2017; Cohen & Ahn, 2016).

Fisher’s Ethical Decision Making Model

(Fisher, 2017).

Step 1: Commit to doing what is right as a professional and uphold this commitment.
Step 2: Familiarize oneself with the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct.
Step 3: Collect comprehensive information from guidelines, laws, and additional input from colleagues.
Step 4: Consider who or what will be impacted by the decision.
Step 5: Develop alternative ethical decisions.
Step 6: Select a course of action.
Step 7: Monitor the ethical decision and follow up.

Fisher’s Ethical Decision Making Model Applied to Maddie’s Case

Step 1: Commit to doing what is right as a professional and uphold this commitment.
Step 2: Ensure competence and maintain confidentiality.
Step 3: Gather information from guidelines, laws, and seek additional advice from colleagues.
Step 4: Assess the impact of the decision on Maddie.
Step 5: Develop alternative ethical solutions for Maddie’s case.
Step 6: Choose the appropriate course of action.
Step 7: Monitor the ethical decision and follow up.

Proposed Resolution

Review my guidelines and the code of ethics.
Collect information from guidelines, laws, and consult with supervisors and colleagues.
Develop alternative solutions.
Decide on a plan.
Inquire if Maddie has a plan; if so, refer her to a medical facility.
If not, refer Maddie to a clinician who can offer better assistance.
Notify someone who can ensure she receives help.

References

Cohen, D. J., & Ahn, M. (2016). A subjective utilitarian theory of moral judgment. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 145(10), 1359-1381. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000210

Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Lefkowitz, J. (2017). Normative ethical theories: I. deontology. In Ethics and values in industrial-organizational psychology (2nd ed., pp. 46-70). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315628721-3