8
$\begingroup$

I have been having free psychology therapy in my school for almost one year. Now the therapeutic relationship is coming to end. I want to give a small gift to my therapist to show my gratitude when my therapy is over.

  • Are psychologists forbidden from receiving gift from clients by their ethical code?
  • Alternatively, under what circumstances would it be appropriate?
Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @AliceD Ethics is not "primarily opinion based." o_O $\endgroup$
    – Christian Hummeluhr
    Commented Aug 14, 2015 at 11:56
  • $\begingroup$ @ChristianHummeluhr - Mmm ... if it is not, then I guess more information is needed in the question about the country and type of therapist? I guess it is not a worldwide fixed thing among all sorts of psychologists? $\endgroup$
    – AliceD ♦
    Commented Aug 14, 2015 at 12:00
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @ChristianHummeluhr - given the great answer by Maria Ant - touche. Retracted my close vote and my opinion on these matters too. $\endgroup$
    – AliceD ♦
    Commented Aug 14, 2015 at 13:47

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
6
$\begingroup$

Here you can find an essay that discusses role of gifts in psychotherapy in great detail and from many different angles.

Focusing on US, Canadian, and Australian ethics codes of professional societies, the author concludes that

Despite the prevalent belief to the contrary, there are no code of ethics or guidelines of major organizations that specifically ban gifts in therapy.

A synopsis of all the reviewed ethics codes can be found here.

In a summary of the ethical and therapeutical implications of gift giving during therapy he emphasizes that (small and appropriate) gifts may actually have a place in therapy and that therapists who rigidly decline them may endanger therapeutic success:

Giving gifts is an ancient and common way to express gratitude, appreciation and love. Gifts in psychotherapy and counseling are very common and often take place around the holidays, in termination, at an important junction of therapy and with children-clients. Therapists have not only received gifts but have also been regularly engaged in gift giving to clients. Usually this involves symbolic gifts, greeting cards, transitional objects, souvenirs from vacations or educational material, such as books, audiotapes or CDs. While traditional psychoanalysis has frowned upon gift giving in therapy and many therapists are reluctant or afraid to talk about it, the fact is that most therapists practice it regularly and find it acceptable and helpful as long as the gifts are symbolic, nor too expensive and appropriate. Unlike commonly held beliefs, appropriate gift giving in therapy is neither unethical nor constitutes dual relationships. Uncritical and rigid across-the-board rejection of all gifts or putting in place "No gift policies" are likely to make clients feel rejected and humiliated, harm the therapeutic alliance and interfere with the therapeutic progress.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Just to add: Psychologists are frequently called in for psychological assessment - eg, in court cases. In such circumstances, accepting a gift can jeopardize the apparent impartiality of the assessment. $\endgroup$
    – Arnon Weinberg ♦
    Commented Aug 15, 2015 at 1:56

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.