ethics vignette

The Vignette, Psychologist in the Middle, discusses the conflict of the Psychologist who is treating an individual in a substance abuse treatment centers. The therapist is told by a patient that another therapist (in their treatment center) paid for sex from another patient. This was another therapist with whom the therapist did not work directly with.
This vignette touches on several enforceable codes. The main issue of conduct is regarding issues of sexual intimacies with current clients/patients which is code 10.5 (Fisher, 340). In addition, this therapist failed to avoid harm, code 3.4 (Fisher, 341) and engaged in an exploitative relationship with the patient, code 3.8 (Fisher, 341) which created a conflict of interest for the therapist, code 3.6 (Fisher, 340).
This therapist never should have engaged in this type of relationship with the patient. It is a difficult area for the therapist who was told about this incident. The therapist needs to be realistic about the source of the information. If there was enough information shared that this is an actual concern, it would need to be handled differently. If there were no specifics given, a simple report would be filed with the office to notify the appropriate persons.
If there was significant information given, it would be a courtesy to notify the therapists that this was shared in a session and that you are bound to submit the report to the ethics committee for a review. I don't think this is a situation where it would benefit anyone if there was enough information shared to confirm that this report is valid. If this is a suspected false report, it may be helpful for the person to be aware that this investigation will be pending.

There is no positive outcome in the resolution of this vignette's ethical violation. This therapist should never engage in a sexual relationship with a client let alone paying for sex from a prostitute. This brings this case to a different level of criminal activity.