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Ethical Decision-Making Model*

Mary Alice Fisher, Ph.D., 2005; 2015
The Center for Ethical Practice

I. ASSESS

A. Identify the problem and determine whether the matter is an ethical one. Use your Ethics Code and other professional guidelines to identify the specific ethical issues.  Name them.

B. If this involves a clinical issue, describe and clarify the relevant clinical components.

C. Consider whether there are any legal requirements, contractual obligations or agency considerations that might influence your decision or limit your options.

D. Consider, as clearly as possible, any relevant personal values (or other personal factors) that might affect your objectivity, introduce bias, or otherwise influence your decision.

E. Evaluate the rights, vulnerabilities, and responsibilities of all parties involved. Determine your relationship (if any) and obligations (if any) to each of these parties.

F. Obtain consultation. Consult with a trusted colleague or supervisor about the ethical, legal and personal issues involved. If needed, obtain a formal consultation with an ethics consultant or with the ethics office of your professional association. If necessary obtain legal consultation and/or medical consultation.

G. Consider whether members of your team or practice group should be engaging in this decision-making process with you. If so, begin discussing the issue collaboratively.

II. PLAN

A. Generate a list of possible decisions/solutions. (At this stage, do not censor; consider all possible courses of action, no matter how wild/crazy/inappropriate they seem.)

B. Using this list, eliminate any options that are clearly unethical, illegal, or clinically inappropriate, using the assessment above as a guide.

C. Enumerate, consider, and weigh the consequences of each of the remaining options.

III. IMPLEMENT

A. Make a decision. Decide how to best act on (carry out) your decision..

B. Carry out the decision you have made.

IV. EVALUATE

A. Document your decision-making process and your actions.

B. Evaluate the process, your decision, and its outcome.

===============================================

*This Ethical Decision-Making Model was constructed using principles that are included in existing decision-making models from several mental health professions, including the following:

Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (1996). A Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making.  American Counseling Association.

Knapp, S. & VandeCreek, L. (2006). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. Washington D.C., American Psychological Association.

Koocher, G.P. & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008) Ethics in Psychology: Professional Standards and Cases. New York, Oxford U. Press.

Mattison, M. (2000) Ethical Decision Making: The Person in the Process. Social Work, 45 , 201.

Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. T. (2007). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

Reigle, J. (1996) Ethical Decision-Making Skills. In: Hamric, A.B., Spross, J.A. & Hanson, C.M. (Eds) Advanced Nursing Practice: An Integrative Approach. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company.

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Upcoming CE Workshops

  • Should I Write it Down?: Ethical and Legal Ramifications of Documentation Decisions
    • Wednesday, April 5, 2023
    • Fairfax Virginia
  • Should I Write it Down?: Ethical and Legal Ramifications of Documentation Decisions
    • Wednesday, April 26, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop
  • Boundaries and Dual Relationships: Where Can We Go Astray, and Why?
    • Monday, May 15, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop
  • What Sort of Problem Is This: Ethical, Legal, Clinical, or Risk Management?
    • Thursday, June 8, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop

CE Courses Are Approved By:

continuing education for American Psychological Association The Center for Ethical Practice is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


continuing education for National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) The Center for Ethical Practice has been approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 6768). The Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.


continuing education Association of Social Work BoardsThe Center for Ethical Practice (provider 1287), is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/21/2021-3/21/2024.

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