Client safety in psychological counseling outside the medical profession: A prerogative of professionalism
By Sandra Neumayr, President of the Association for Psychological Counseling (VpsyB e.V.)
In the ethically and practically complex domain of psychological counseling beyond curative interventions, the safety of our clients occupies a cardinal position. The primacy of client safety spans a multivalent spectrum of aspects, ranging from psychodynamic safety aspects to legislative regulations. This article aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of how a pre-emptive and retrospective safety culture can be promoted and permanently implemented within psychological counseling practice.
The multi-dimensionality of client safety
In psychological counseling, the concept of client safety manifests itself in a conglomerate of emotional, cognitive and physical safety. Emotional safety implies an atmosphere of non-judgment and unconditional respect in which clients feel free to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings. Cognitive safety, on the other hand, refers to ensuring the correct communication of information and guidance in the processing of complex life issues. Physical safety, although usually clearly defined in clinical settings, also requires careful consideration in outpatient counselling in order to minimize any risks.
Implementation of security strategies
Preventing potential hazards and strengthening client safety require omnipresent awareness and prevention in the following spheres:
1. professionalism and competence:
Continuous professional training and supervision of counseling staff is essential to ensure high-quality and safe support. Affiliation with professional associations such as VpsyB e.V. also ensures that the latest research findings and ethical standards are taken into account.
2. Ethische Richtlinien und Datenschutz:
Die strenge Adhärenz an ethische Kodizes, die unter anderem die Wahrung der Vertraulichkeit und das Prinzip des “Nicht-Schadens” inkludieren, ist imperativ. Darüber hinaus unterliegt der Datenschutz einer exzeptionellen Priorität, insbesondere im Kontext digitaler Beratungsformate.
3. risk analysis and management:
Proactive evaluation and intervention when potential risk factors are identified - whether in the client's emotional state or physical environment - proactively prevents possible dangers.
Challenges and outlook
The highly dynamic and complex interactive nature of psychological counseling constantly places new demands on the security culture. In particular, the digitalization of counselling services requires an elaborate examination of digital data protection and security measures. Dedicated research into specific security risks and their preventive minimization is increasingly becoming a mandatory component of professional practice.
As a result, it is manifest that the guarantee of client safety requires a synergetic effort of all parties involved - from the individual practicing counselors to the structural conditions of the professional network. Through continuous dialectical reflection and evolving implementation of safety measures, psychological counseling outside of the medical profession can fulfill its essential responsibility towards its clientele.
It is our categorical imperative as practitioners in psychological counseling to ensure the physical, emotional and cognitive safety of our clients. Consistently promoting a comprehensive culture of safety in our practices is foundational to the integrity and credibility of our profession. In the dyadic constellation between counselor and client, it is à la longue the quality of that safety that determines the basis of trust and thus the success of the intervention.