Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Ethical beliefs of mental-health professionals and undergraduates regarding therapist practices
1Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA. apomera@siue.edu
Abstract:
Psychotherapists should be aware of any discrepancies of opinion between themselves and those outside the mental-health profession regarding the ethicality of therapist actions. In this study, the beliefs of mental-health professionals and nonprofessionals (represented by undergraduate students) regarding the ethicality of therapist behaviors were compared. Factor analysis of 82 specific therapist behaviors yielded three factors: nonsexual dual relationships, assertive or discomforting therapist actions, and sexual dual relationships. A comparison of factor composite scores indicated that undergraduates, in relation to professionals, rated nonsexual dual relationships as more ethical and assertive or discomforting actions as less ethical. Although these effects may diminish with age, these results nonetheless suggest that mental-health professionals may hold ethical beliefs that are inconsistent with those who seek their services. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethics and Bioethics
Ethical Standards II
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy and...
Ethical Standards I
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
Professional Values
The values that are the foundation of the nursing profession are altruism, autonomy, human dignity, and social justice.
First, altruism refers to the concern for the welfare and well-being of others without personal...
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
