PSYC FPX 4210 Assessment 1: Applying Ethical Principles | Capella Guide

Applying Ethical Principles in Senior Professional Practice

PSYC FPX 4210 Assessment 1:Introduction to Senior Ethical Analysis

In advanced professional practice, applying ethical principles is the most important thing to do to protect the integrity of the therapeutic or clinical relationship. As professionals, we frequently encounter “gray areas,” scenarios in which legal obligations and personal ethics may appear to conflict. This paper analyzes a case study of a therapist who uncovers a patient’s participation in an ongoing, non-violent insurance fraud scheme, investigating the conflict between the obligation of confidentiality and the societal tenet of justice.

Identification of the Ethical Dilemma

The selected case study presents a conflict between Fidelity (the therapist’s obligation to uphold confidentiality) and Justice (the societal imperative for legal adherence). When using ethical principles on Client C, the practitioner must decide if the “harm” caused by the financial fraud is bad enough to break confidentiality. Financial crimes pose a more complex ethical dilemma concerning the “Duty to Warn” compared to situations involving immediate physical peril.

Core Ethical Principles: The Four Pillars

The analysis is grounded in the four primary pillars of bioethics:

• Autonomy means respecting the client’s right to make their own decisions and keep their privacy.
• Beneficence means doing things that help the client make progress in therapy.
• Non-maleficence means not doing things that would break the therapeutic alliance or put the client in legal trouble without a clear safety order.
• Justice: Taking into account how the client’s illegal actions affect society as a whole.

Comparison of Ethical Theories: Theoretical Justification

A hallmark of Applying Ethical Principles at the 4210 level is the ability to contrast normative theories:

1. Deontology (Duty-Based Ethics)

A Deontological perspective, following Kantian Ethics, argues that the practitioner has an “absolute duty” to follow the rules of the profession. If the rule is “maintain confidentiality unless there is imminent physical harm,” then the deontologist must remain silent. The morality is in the adherence to the rule, not the outcome of the fraud.

2. Utilitarianism (Consequence-Based Ethics)

A Utilitarian would look at the “Greatest Good for the Greatest Number.” They might argue that the financial harm to the insurance company and the subsequent increase in premiums for other citizens creates a net negative utility. However, a “Rule Utilitarian” would argue that if patients cannot trust therapists to keep secrets, they will stop seeking treatment, leading to a much larger societal harm.

Proposed Resolution and Justification

The suggested resolution includes the “Therapeutic Confrontation” model. The practitioner should address the fraud during the clinical sessions by using ethical principles. They should look into the psychological reasons for the behavior and encourage the client to get legal help to fix the problem on their own. This path respects Fidelity by keeping the therapeutic secret while also seeking Justice through the client’s own actions. APA Standard 4.01 says that psychologists have a primary duty to protect private information, which is why this decision is correct.

Evaluation of Professional Responsibilities

Senior-level practice requires the practitioner to set aside personal “moralism” in favor of professional ethics. In this case, while the practitioner may personally find fraud abhorrent, their professional responsibility is to the patient’s psychological health. Applying Ethical Principles correctly means recognizing the boundaries of one’s role as a healer, not a law enforcement officer.

Conclusion

To use ethical principles at the 4210 level, you need to find a balance between being empathetic and following the rules. By comparing Deontology and Utilitarianism, professionals can make sure their choices are based on hundreds of years of philosophical thought and decades of professional agreement.