NOTEWORTHY

Code of Ethics Update

 

One of the hallmarks of a profession is a code of ethics designed to prevent harm by practitioners of the profession to those who seek their services and to hold practitioners accountable to standards of prudent and responsible practice by which their professional conduct is judged.

As times change, so do the ethical issues that professional associations and their members face—which today include complex subjects like social injustice, advocacy, cybersecurity, social media, AI, and a host of other current conditions that pose ethical questions and dilemmas for marriage and family therapists (MFTs).

As societal events and circumstances unfold and unfamiliar situations arise, MFTs must be able to rely on their association’s code of ethics to guide their decision-making and actions in meeting contemporary challenges.

Codes of ethics need to be regularly updated to address current and emerging issues confronting  association members. The most recent revision of the AAMFT Code of Ethics became effective January 1, 2015. As the result of both evolutionary and revolutionary changes in societal conditions, MFTs now face practice situations and choices that were unimaginable a  decade ago. In this environment, ensuring that the AAMFT Code of Ethics  is relevant, inclusive, and dynamic requires timely, responsive, informed, collaborative, and systemic approaches to making the next revision.

One of the first steps the Ethics Code Revision Task Force is taking in revising the Code is to engage AAMFT members and stakeholders in identifying sections of the Code that are working well, sections that need changing, and areas where new standards should be developed and included. Because of the magnitude and diversity of the ethical questions that confront our members, the need for a high level of group consensus in regard to professional standards of conduct, and the critical importance of having revisions to the Code developed collaboratively and informed by “real-life” experiences, we are actively seeking ways to ensure that every voice can be heard throughout this process.

The first opportunity for direct member input was through the survey recently sent out to association members asking them to share their experience with the Code of Ethics and the ethical issues they encounter in their work to determine practitioners’ needs, concerns, issues, suggestions, etc.  Basing ethical guidance on practitioners’ experiences, reflections, and needs enables us to benefit from the collective wisdom of the field and provide MFTs opportunities for active participation and ownership in the process.

Thank you to all members who responded to the survey with feedback related to your personal experiences, concerns, and suggestions!

Linda.Oxford

Linda Oxford, MSSW, MAR, is an AAMFT Professional member and holds master’s degrees in both clinical social work and marriage and family therapy, and recently retired as Director of Clinical Services at Agape Child and Family Services, Inc., in Memphis, TN, where she was employed for over 21 years. A highly experienced therapist, trainer, educator, supervisor, and consultant, Ms. Oxford has worked in both the public and private sectors, with specializations in trauma recovery, risk management, professional ethics, crisis intervention and consultation, and solution-focused methods of problem-solving in large systems. She has served as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Family and Civil Mediator (2010-2022), a member of the AAMFT Ethics Committee (2011-2013) and Board of Directors (Member, 2013-2015; Secretary, 2018-2020), a member of the NASW-TN Chapter Ethics Committee (2011-2024), and as an ethics consultant with the NASW National Cadre of Mediators and Consultants (2015-2024).

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