Is it enough to know and follow the AAMFT Code of Ethics? Although knowing and following the AAMFT Code of Ethics is an important aspect while practicing therapy with clients, it is not enough and only provides a standard and boundaries of ethics for therapists to follow. Ethics within marriage and family therapy are not black in white, and in some areas building on what you know and how you have used ethics in the past, along with help from superiors and peers can help when an issue arises that you need to refer to the AAMFT Code of Ethics. So no, it is not enough to know and follow the AAMFT Code of Ethics, but by practicing, learning, and using what you know you can have a better understanding on the ethics within Family and Marriage Therapy. …show more content…
By understanding the background, beliefs, customs, and morals of the clients and how they are formed can forge a stronger connection between the therapist and client and can tailor the therapy to the client. Allowing a safe space for the client to disclose their true self is an important responsibility in the therapeutic relationship.
Explaining and ensuring the client signs the confidentiality agreement there can be more room for the client to open up since they know what you cannot talk about to others (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015). Because there are numerous relationships in the therapy process, in marriage and family therapists need to respect the position of authority and not abuse the trust and dependency of the client. Likewise it is important to not have sexual intimacy with current and former clients since the therapist is a person in power within the
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This standard states that the therapists in the marriage and family therapy field should not neglect or abandon the clients they are working with in therapy, and ought to find accommodations that are reasonable in order to continue treatment (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015). This can be problematic when working with clients that may not want to work with another therapist since they already feel comfortable with the therapist, and do not want to start and new relationship with a new therapist. However, if the therapist feels that the relationship between them and the client is not working or is not healthy, it is important to assist in finding someone else that will continue the therapy in a improved