Practice Innovations, Vol 9(3), Sep 2024, 205-214; doi:10.1037/pri0000239
The enforceable standards of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct do not tell psychologists how to behave or respond to every problematic ethical situation. Psychotherapists can use the aspirational General Principles to guide their behavior in these situations. However, psychotherapists can only implement these principles appropriately if they correctly conceptualize the ethical principles involved and find ways to balance competing ethical concerns. This article gives examples of how psychotherapists can implement principle-based decision making to maximize their adherence to foundational ethical principles and the spirit of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)