As discussed previously, the referral of a client based solely on his/her sexual orientation is not only illegal, it is also unethical for mental health professionals (APA, 2010). On the other hand, the APA Ethics Code (2010) states it is unethical for a mental health professional to provide services outside of their boundaries of competence. The contradiction of these two standards lead to an ethical dilemma that many mental health professionals face. Shiles (2009) created a set of eight questions examining the appropriateness of referring a client. These questions have provided mental health professionals with an additional resource to facilitate a solution for this ethical dilemma. Shiles argued, to prevent discriminatory referrals mental health professionals should
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She also argued, “if the field of psychology is truly dedicated to alleviating the damaging effects on societal oppression and discrimination, then it is crucial to address the ways in which such behavior is potentially occurring in our profession” (p.153). An important way to address these damaging effects, Shiles suggests an initiation of discussion within the field. With the implementation of discussion among professionals in the field, the process of alleviating discrimination and oppression can begin.
In a study conducted by McGeorge, Carlson, and Farrell (2016), family therapists were recruited from eighteen different states, to participate in an online survey based on the ethical dilemma of discriminatory referrals of LGBT clients. The researchers used the Modern Homophobia Scale to assess the family therapists’ biases regarding their LGBT clients. The Revised-Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale was also used to determine the overall clinical
She also argued, “if the field of psychology is truly dedicated to alleviating the damaging effects on societal oppression and discrimination, then it is crucial to address the ways in which such behavior is potentially occurring in our profession” (p.153). An important way to address these damaging effects, Shiles suggests an initiation of discussion within the field. With the implementation of discussion among professionals in the field, the process of alleviating discrimination and oppression can begin.
In a study conducted by McGeorge, Carlson, and Farrell (2016), family therapists were recruited from eighteen different states, to participate in an online survey based on the ethical dilemma of discriminatory referrals of LGBT clients. The researchers used the Modern Homophobia Scale to assess the family therapists’ biases regarding their LGBT clients. The Revised-Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale was also used to determine the overall clinical