Journals / AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2

Ethical Principles and Clinical Practices in Family and Group Psychotherapies: A Literature Review in Contemporary Psychology

Aile ve Grup Psikoterapilerinde Etik İlkeler ve Uygulama Süreçleri: Güncel Psikoloji Literatürüne Dayalı Bir Derleme

Pages
309–342
Publication Date
2026-05-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Searches were conducted with the keywords “ethics,” “fee,” “termination,” “confidentiality,” “online,” “competence,” “multicultural,” “sexual intimacy,” and “record,” in combination with “group therapy” and “family therapy.” Findings indicate that ethical decision-making in these psychotherapies is multidimensional.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:One of the fundamental professional responsibilities of psychotherapists is to make decisions in accordance with ethical principles.
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Key Findings & Data:Family and group psychotherapies, by their very nature, pose more complex ethical challenges and dilemmas than individual therapy.
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Conclusion & Impact:Searches were conducted with the keywords “ethics,” “fee,” “termination,” “confidentiality,” “online,” “competence,” “multicultural,” “sexual intimacy,” and “record,” in combination with “group therapy” and “family therapy.” Findings indicate that ethical decision-making in these psychotherapies is multidimensional.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:aile psikoterapisi · grup psikoterapisi · etik ilkeler

Abstract

One of the fundamental professional responsibilities of psychotherapists is to make decisions in accordance with ethical principles. Family and group psychotherapies, by their very nature, pose more complex ethical challenges and dilemmas than individual therapy. Psychotherapists, therefore, require comprehensive resources to address such issues effectively. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive Turkish-language source on ethical principles and guidelines for family and group psychotherapy, thereby enhancing practitioners’ knowledge and awareness of potential ethical dilemmas. To this end, both Turkish and English publications were reviewed without time restrictions, using databases such as Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, PsychNet, SAGE Journals, and ResearchGate. Searches were conducted with the keywords “ethics,” “fee,” “termination,” “confidentiality,” “online,” “competence,” “multicultural,” “sexual intimacy,” and “record,” in combination with “group therapy” and “family therapy.” Findings indicate that ethical decision-making in these psychotherapies is multidimensional. Key principles include maintaining professional competence, respecting human rights, ensuring confidentiality, and exercising caution regarding multiple relationships and boundaries. At the practice level, issues such as group formation, multicultural sensitivity, informed consent, and systematic record-keeping are critical to safeguarding client autonomy and safety. Financial arrangements, referrals, and termination processes must prioritize transparency, fairness, and client welfare. In online psychotherapy, managing technology-related risks is essential to ensure both safety and clinical effectiveness. Finally, therapist competence, supervision, and guidance from professional associations are decisive in making sound ethical decisions. In conclusion, careful implementation of ethical principles in family and group psychotherapy is vital to securing clients’ psychological well-being and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.

Özet

Psikoterapistlerin temel mesleki sorumluluklarından biri etik ilkelere uygun kararlar almaktır. Birden fazla danışanı içeren aile ve grup psikoterapileri, doğaları gereği, bireysel terapilere kıyasla daha karmaşık etik sorunlar ve ikilemler barındırmaktadır. Psikoterapistler, bu tür problemlerle karşılaştıklarında başvurabilecekleri kapsamlı kaynaklara ihtiyaç duymaktadırlar. Bu sebeple, bu çalışmasının amacı, aile ve grup psikoterapisinde etik ilke ve yönergelere dair kapsamlı bir Türkçe kaynak oluşturmak ve uygulayıcıların olası etik ikilemler konusundaki bilgi ve farkındalıklarını artırmaktır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, herhangi bir zaman kısıtlaması uygulanmadan Türkçe ve İngilizce yayınlar incelenmiş; taramalar Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, PsychNet, SAGE Journals ve ResearchGate veri tabanları üzerinden gerçekleştirilmiştir. Taramalar, “ethics”, “fee”, “termination”, “confidentiality”, “online”, “competence”, “multicultural”, “sexual intimacy” ve “record” anahtar kelimelerinin “group therapy” ve “family therapy” ile kombinasyonları kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Bulgular, bu psikoterapi türlerinde etik karar almanın çok boyutlu olduğunu göstermiştir. Bu bağlamda öne çıkan temel ilkelerden bazıları, psikoterapistlerin mesleki yetkinliklerini sürdürmesi, insan haklarına saygı göstermesi, gizliliği koruması ve çoklu ilişkiler ile sınırlar konusunda titiz davranmasıdır. Uygulama süreçlerinde ise grup oluşturma, çok kültürlü duyarlılık, bilgilendirilmiş onam ve sistematik kayıt tutma gibi konular, danışan özerkliği ve güvenliğini sağlamak açısından kritik öneme sahiptir. Mali konular, yönlendirme ve sonlandırma süreçleri şeffaflık, adalet ve danışan yararının gözetilmesini gerektirmektedir. Çevrimiçi psikoterapide ise teknoloji kaynaklı risklerin yönetimi, klinik uygulamanın güvenliği ve etkinliği açısından elzemdir. Son olarak, psikoterapistin yetkinliği, süpervizyon desteği ve meslek örgütlerinden sağlanan rehberlik etik kararlar vermede belirleyici olmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, aile ve grup psikoterapilerinde etik ilkelerin özenle uygulanması, danışanların psikolojik iyilik hâlini güvence altına almak ve terapötik sürecin etkinliğini artırmak açısından kritik bir öneme sahiptir.

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Cite This Article

Çelik, E., Engüzel, T., Ünal, T., Dirik, G. (2026). Ethical Principles and Clinical Practices in Family and Group Psychotherapies: A Literature Review in Contemporary Psychology. AYNA Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 2, 309–342. https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1772592

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