The psychologist’s Decalogue: ethical and professional requirements of our profession

Practicing in the field of psychology by attending to patients requires that ethics be taken into account.

Psychology is a growing profession.. However, it is not enough to study psychology to become a psychologist. The fact is that we work with people, who will be affected to a greater or lesser extent by our actions.

Therefore, the practice of the profession of psychology is subject to a large number of considerations. is subject to a large number of ethical and professional considerations that must be taken into account. that must be taken into account.

The psychologist's decalogue

Below you can see a psychologist's decalogue of the main ethical and professional requirements to be taken into account.

To be guided by the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.

The psychologist's task, regardless of his or her field of practice, is to seek the maximum benefit for his or her patients or clients. seeking the maximum benefit for his patients or clients. We have the obligation to act in search of the welfare of others, helping them to the extent that we are able, and this being the main driver of our professional activity.

The principle of non-maleficence works under the assumption that we should refrain from acts that harm others. However, sometimes in order to achieve the maximum possible welfare it is necessary to apply techniques and procedures that are going to make the client suffer emotionally. After all, in many cases we are working on aspects that are in themselves painful for the subject, and facing them usually involves a certain amount of pain. to face them usually entails certain suffering..

In these cases, professional action should focus on ensuring that such suffering is not unnecessary or that it will bring benefits for the client that are greater than the level of suffering.

Finally, we must leave our prejudices aside and treat everyone who enters our practice in the same way. If we are unable to do so for any reason, we should refer them to another professional.

Remember: we are people dealing with people.

We are dealing with human beings and not with objects, programs or products. This point may seem obvious, but it is something that sometimes seems to be overlooked.

It is important that those who come to us feel cared for, understood and not criticized. we must not underestimate the possible suffering of the person or what is important to them.

Being objective and knowing how to maintain one's position as a professional does not necessarily imply being aseptic. This can make patients feel unacceptable and hinder both the therapeutic relationship and adherence to treatments and interventions. As Carl Jung said, "master all the techniques, but when touching a human soul, be just another human soul".

3. Never judge your patient

The client or patient who comes to the consultation will open a door to his life from which we will be able to visualize more or less deep parts of his existence, his fears and experiences.

The patient confides part of his life, his thoughts and beliefs. These must always be respectedeven though in some cases they may be in direct confrontation with one's own. In case the psychologist is not qualified to do so, he/she should refer the client to another professional.

4. Respect the confidentiality of your patients or clients

The information provided to us by patients must be, except by court order or in case of serious danger to the life of the subject or others, completely confidential. We are entrusted with information that in many cases is not shared with anyone else for the purpose of helping to improve the subject's condition.

If we intend to use the information collected in any way (e.g. for research or professional training) or even communicate it to others outside the team that is treating the individual, the patient must give prior consent.

5. Respect the autonomy of the patient or client

Never try to impose your own opinion on a subject.. Even if we think that certain actions, techniques or interventions may be the most effective, we should not try to force them. The person who comes for consultation has his or her own value system, his or her own agenda and ultimately his or her own life, and we have no right to make them do something they do not want to do. We can convince the person or help him or her to make a decision, but in the end it is he or she who has to make the decision.

6. Recognize your limits: we do not know everything.

We are not omnipotent: it is necessary to be honest and recognize our limits, acknowledge our mistakes and even our lack of competence to solve specific cases. If something is beyond us, we can refer to another professional who can better help the individual. who can better help the individual who comes to us, since our objective must be to help him/her at all times and not to reinforce our ego.

In addition, we must bear in mind that experience and the fact of having a wide body of knowledge can sometimes make us overconfident. However, this confidence should not make us fall into the error of presupposing or assuming that we know everything.

While clients can tell us very important parts of their lives and we can form a rough idea of what they are like and how they act in their real lives, the circumstances and elements surrounding their day-to-day lives are largely unknown to us.

7. Act objectively

Our values, tastes, beliefs or even personal problems should never influence or bias our work.

We must remain objective and know what our role as professionals is. We help the person to be able to make decisions about his or her life, putting ourselves in his or her place and taking into account his or her point of view.

8. Remember what you work for. The important thing is the user.

It should be borne in mind that the people who come for consultation are looking for some kind of professional help. What should always come first is, as we have said before, their wellbeing. We must work with this objective in mind.

Psychologists will not be good if their main motivation to practice are aspects such as economics, the reinforcement of their ego through power over others or the resolution of their own personal shortcomings.

9. Let's be competent: it is necessary to train and update ourselves continuously

Having a basic training is necessary to be able to practice, but it is not enough if we want our performance to be effective and efficient. Psychology is a discipline in which advances are continually being made..

As with education and medicine, it is necessary for psychologists to be aware of the various advances, studies and techniques generated. This is essential in order to offer the best possible service to our clients, allowing us to use the most effective techniques and adjust the methodologies used to the needs and circumstances of each subject to be treated.

In addition, we must bear in mind that we must be competent when it comes to practice. We cannot do whatever we want. We are not dealing with human guinea pigs: what we propose must have an empirical basis and proven efficacy, in addition to being directed towards an objective.It must also be directed towards a specific objective. People must be informed of what is going to be done and what results can be expected from the intervention.

10. Respect and love your profession

As a psychologist, you are representing a professional sector that works hard to help others improve different areas of their lives.

Your work will have a great impact on the lives of those you treat. Respect your role and be aware of its importance. Also, as much as possible, avoid damaging the profession or the contribution of other professionals.