Blog Entry Three: What Ethical Frameworks Say...

As explained in my last blog ‘The Need for Change!’, it is important that practitioners start to look outside of their work facilities and develop a level of support for those vulnerable to dangerous, sensitive and triggering online content. This statement from me and the argument for change is further supported by the ethical code and frameworks of professional psychological societies. I have conducted thorough research on the duties, ethical codes, policies and procedures for practitioners who are in the psychological field of work, all of which should always be followed.

The BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct

The BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (BPS., 2018) contains the standards and expectation that all members of The British Psychological Society should follow. The code highlights the importance of four ethical principles: Respect, Competence, Responsibility and Integrity. Looking at responsibility, the code states that “Psychologists must accept appropriate responsibility for what is within their power, control or management” and the awareness of such responsibilities avoids potential harm and misuse or abuse of their contribution to society. Also, it is important that psychologists consider their professional accountability whilst also respecting the welfare of human, non-humans and the living world always. The code of ethics applies both in and out of workspaces so long as the information and knowledge of which the professionals withhold is not misused or abused.

The BACP Ethical Framework

The BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2018) also discusses beneficence which is a commitment to promoting wellbeing. Every practitioner has a duty to promote the wellbeing of clients. Therefore, my thought is that if they have a duty to promote the wellbeing of their workplace clientele, why shouldn’t there also be a duty to promote wellbeing to the general public via online outlets? Personal qualities such as candour, care and diligence are also an important discussion throughout the framework. Care highlights the responsibility of being attentive to someone is need and wellbeing, whilst diligence explains the importance of using their skills or sharing their knowledge when needed to help achieve a beneficial outcome.

Under the section ‘Good Practice’ it is stated that “As members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) we are committed to sustaining and advancing good practice”(BACP., 2018). Furthermore, the article of association ‘How we are run and governed’ explains that the BACP is established to inform and educate the public on the services, help and facilities that are out there in order to meet the needs of those who have physical or psychological health need. In simpler terms, practitioners have a duty to promote and educate the general public on services to access when in need. This could be anything from information on types of therapy and where to access them to online self-help websites that contain coping strategies and information on how to receive help or treatment if the individual feels that they need to.

(BACP., 2019)

To conclude, it is clear to see that practitioners and professional bodies have a duty to promote the wellbeing of all who feel that they have psychological or physical needs to be met which further supports my argument that more needs to be done to protect those accessing pro-ana content on social media. Although the individual may not be currently receiving treatment or accessing facilities to help meet such needs, it is important that they are considered and protected from and potential harm. The need for change is more about educating the general public on the risks of the harmful behaviours involved with anorexia and the information on where to access treatment and coping mechanisms.