Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
Frameworks
APA Ethics Code: five aspirational principles (beneficence/nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, respect for people's rights and dignity) plus enforceable standards. Ethical standards may exceed law but never fall below it; when law and ethics conflict, comply with law and document/consult (Standard 1.02). Four malpractice elements: duty, breach, causation, damages.
Confidentiality and privilege
Confidentiality is the clinician's ethical duty; privilege is the client's legal protection from courtroom disclosure. Limits include danger to self or others, mandated abuse reporting, and court order. Tarasoff-style duty to protect applies to identifiable victims and is statutory, so check the jurisdiction. With minors, parents or guardians generally consent and the minor gives assent; know mandatory-report and minor-consent exceptions. A subpoena is not a court order-verify and assert privilege.
Boundaries
Multiple relationships are not automatically unethical; they are prohibited when they could impair objectivity or risk exploitation. Sexual relationships with current clients are absolutely prohibited. Bartering is permitted when not exploitative and culturally appropriate. Informed consent is an ongoing process, not a signature.
Competence and supervision
Practice within the boundaries of competence and obtain training before adding a specialty. Supervisors delegate only to those reasonably qualified, monitor closely, and retain responsibility.
Worked example
A client states an intent to harm a named coworker. Assess intent, plan, means, and imminence, then take protective action (warn the victim, notify authorities, arrange evaluation or hospitalization) as the applicable duty-to-protect statute requires. Silence is never correct when a specific victim is threatened.