Psychology is a booming profession . However, in order to practice as a psychologist it is not enough to study psychology. The fact is that we work with people, who are going to be affected to a greater or lesser extent by our actions.

Therefore, the exercise of the profession of psychologist is subject to a large number of ethical and professional considerations that must be taken into account.

The Psychologist’s Decalogue

Below you can see a decalogue of the psychologist who gives the main ethical and professional requirements to be assessed.

1. Be guided by the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence and justice

The task of the psychologist, regardless of his field of action, is to seek the maximum benefit for his patients or clients . We have the obligation to act in search of the well-being of others, helping them as far as we are able, and this is the main driving force behind our professional activity.

The principle of non-maleficence works on the assumption that we should refrain from acts that harm others. However, sometimes the application of techniques and procedures that will make the client suffer emotionally is necessary to achieve the maximum possible well-being. After all, in many cases, aspects are worked on that are in themselves painful for the subject, and facing them usually entails certain suffering .

In these cases, performance should focus on ensuring that such suffering is not unnecessary or will result in benefits to the client that exceed the level of suffering.

Finally, we must set aside our prejudices and treat everyone who comes into our practice in the same way. If we are unable to do so for any reason, it is best to refer them to another professional.

2. Remember: we are people who deal with people

We are dealing with human beings and not objects, programs or products. That point may seem obvious, but it is something that sometimes seems to be overlooked.

It is important that those who come to us feel cared for, understood and not criticized, and although it is fundamental to act objectively we must not underestimate the possible suffering of the person or what is important to him/her.

Being objective and knowing how to maintain the position as a professional does not necessarily imply being aseptic. This can make patients feel unaccepted and makes both the therapeutic relationship and adherence to treatments and interventions difficult. As Carl Jung said, “master all the techniques, but when you touch a human soul you are just another human soul”.

3. Never judge your patient

The client or patient who arrives at the consultation will open a door to his life from which we will be able to visualize more or less deep parts of his existence, his fears and experiences.

The patient trusts part of his life, his thoughts and beliefs. These must always be respected , even though in some cases they may confront their own. If the psychologist does not feel able to do so, he or she should refer the client to another professional.

4. Respect the confidentiality of your patients or clients

The information provided by the patients must be, except by judicial decree or in case of serious danger to the life of the subject or others, totally confidential . We are entrusted with information that in many cases is not shared with anyone else for the purpose of helping us to improve the subject’s condition.

If the information collected is to be used in any way (e.g. for research or training of professionals) or even communicated to others outside of the team that is caring for the individual, the patient must give prior consent.

5. Respects the autonomy of the patient or client

You should never try to impose your own opinion on a subject . Even though we think that certain actions, techniques or interventions may be the most effective, we should not try to force ourselves. The subject who comes for consultation has his own system of values, his own agenda and ultimately his own life, and we do not have the right to make them do something they do not want to do. The person may be convinced or helped to make a decision, but in the end it must be him or her who makes the decision.

6. Recognize your limits: we don’t know everything

We are not omnipotent: it is necessary to be honest and to recognize our own limits, to recognize our mistakes and even our lack of competence to solve specific cases. If something is beyond us we can refer it to another professional who can better help the individual who comes to us, since our aim must always be to help him or her and not to reinforce our ego.

In addition, we must take into account that experience and having a large body of knowledge can sometimes make us confident. However, this confidence should not make us fall into the error of presupposing or taking for granted that we know everything.

While clients can tell us about very important parts of their lives and we can get a rough idea of what they are like and how they act in their real lives, the circumstances and elements that surround their day-to-day lives are largely unknown to us.

7. Act objectively

Our values, tastes, beliefs or even personal problems should not influence or bias our work at any time.

We must remain objective and know what our role is as professionals . We help the person to be able to make decisions about his life, putting ourselves in his place and taking his point of view into account.

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8. Remember what you’re working for. The important thing is the user.

It should be noted that the people who come for consultation are looking for some kind of professional help . What should always prevail is, as we have already said, their well-being. We have to work with this objective.

Those whose main motivation to practice is economic aspects, the reinforcement of their ego through power over others or the resolution of their own personal deficiencies will not be good psychologists.

9. Let’s be competent: it’s necessary to be trained and updated continuously

Having a basic training is necessary to be able to practice, but it is not enough if we want our performance to be effective and efficient. Psychology is a discipline in which progress is being made continuously .

As with education and medicine, psychologists need to be aware of the various advances, studies and techniques generated. This is essential when offering the best possible service to clients, allowing the use of the most effective techniques and adjusting the methodologies used to the needs and circumstances of each subject to be treated.

In addition, we must bear in mind that we must be competent in our practice. We can’t just do whatever we want. We are not dealing with human guinea pigs: what we propose must have an empirical basis and proven effectiveness , in addition to being directed towards a specific objective. People must be informed about what is going to be done and what results can be expected from the intervention.

10. Respect and love your profession

As a psychologist, you are representing a professional sector that works hard in order to help their peers improve different areas of their lives.

Your work is going to have a big impact on the lives of those you treat. Respect your role and be aware of its importance. Also, avoid as much as possible damaging the profession or the contribution of other professionals.