Ethics and ecotherapy: the shared experiences of ethical issues in practice

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study is to examine ethical issues that transpire for practicing ecotherapists. Ten participants share common ethical issues that emerge in their practices and ways they manage them. The research questions for this study are: 1. What are the ethical concerns that emerge most in ecotherapy practice? 2. What attitudes and beliefs do ecotherapists have about ethics in their practices? 3. How do ecotherapists manage ethical issues that emerge in practice? 4. What implications does this information have for the practice of ecotherapy? Moustakas’ eight step process for qualitative research is employed, and semi-structured interviews are collected and analyzed. The following superordinate themes emerge: 1. Confidentiality and Informed Consent, 2. Training Recommendations, 3. Assessment and Client Safety, 4. Dual Relationships, 5. Values Conflicts, and 6. Self-Awareness. Implications for ecotherapists and ecotherapy educators are presented, with limitations and recommendations for further research explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecotherapy
• ecopsychology
• psychotherapy
• ethics

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the participants for sharing their time and insights on ecotherapy. Without their contributions, this study would not be possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bonnie C. King

Bonnie C. King, Ph.D. LPC, is an assistant professor of counseling at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include counseling in green spaces, best practices for counseling gender non-conforming individuals, and international counseling.

Carrie D. Taylor

Carrie D. Taylor, EdD., is an assistant professor of counseling, kinesiology, and special education at Midwestern State University. Her research interests include, leadership, and constraints and temperaments.

Jessenia A. Garcia

Jessenia A. Garcia, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of counseling and development at Texas Woman’s University. Her clinical and research interests include bilingual counseling, Latinx mental health concerns, first-generation college student wellness, and multiculturally sensitive eating disorder treatment.

Kathryn A. Cantrell

Kathryn A. Cantrell, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in child life and development at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include therapeutic play and counseling for children and youth with chronic illness.

Candace N. Park

Candace N. Park, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. Her research interests include ethics in counseling in supervision and program evaluation.