2003 Apa Ethics Code Of Practice Essay

Research into this question availed great information along with many different responses depending on the scenario. Hunter and Struve (1997) and Pope et al (2006) share that there are most therapists that do touch their patients which is occasionally; few have received any training or guidance about how and when touch might be therapeutic or whether it might be neutral or when harmful. The 2002 Ethics code of the American Psychological Association says very little about touch, and does not even use the word “touch” anywhere in the code. The biggest area of concern is that of Sexual touching, which of course is prohibited and is always unethical (sections 10.05 – 10.08). Psychologists are also prohibited from engaging in behavior that might constitute sexual harassment (3.02), conflicts of interest (3.06) or exploitation of clients (3.08).
Physical touch is a powerful and emotional form of communication. Therapists may use nonsexual touch in psychotherapy for many reasons: to greet clients, to console them in grief or despair, to ground them in the present moment, to
The principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence remind us to do no harm to clients and to choose interventions most likely to benefit them. Because touch is deeply emotional, it can trigger powerful negative as well as positive feelings in clients. Clients who have been victims of violence or abuse, or those with paranoid or borderline personality characteristics can experience touch as intrusive or threatening. Touch should never be used unless the therapist knows the client well and is certain that touch is in the client’s interest. Hunter and Strube (1997) ask “Who is likely to benefit from this? In all cases, the answer must be the client. These authors caution that clients should consent to touch before it is