Second Order Ethical Decision-Making in Counselling Psychology: Theory, Practice and Process

I recent years there has been an acknowledgement that the discipline of counselling psychology places an emphasis on systemic frameworks that consider the individual within a context of developmental and ecological factors. Counselling Psychology considers diversity as central to its work, and acknowledges the importance of working at the interface of science and practice, maintaining a balance between scientist-practitioner and practitionerscholar frameworks (Woolfe, 2006). When confronted with ethical d i l e m m a s , p r a c t i t i o n e r s h a v e traditionally been guided by that particular country’s relevant professional associations or psychology registration board. Whilst they may have no separate Codes of Ethics specific to Counselling Psychology, these bodies may have guidelines for practice that assist in ethical decision-making. Generally, Codes of Ethics set out the rules and principles related to professional practice. However these are often presented as linear, Second Order Ethical Decision-Making in Counselling Psychology: Theory, Practice and Process