Welcome to 2012.  The first psychotherapy event of the new year is a Psychotherapy Conference to be held in Dublin Castle on 26th & 27th January, run by The Irish Council for Psychotherapy.  I am delighted to announce that I will be presenting a paper at the conference on Thursday 26th January at 2pm and enclose an abstract from my paper.  Click here for the full conference schedule. If you are at the conference please do make contact and say hello. 

Ethics and the Contemporary Practice of Psychotherapy

This paper will consider the relevance of Aristotle's Ethics to the contemporary practice of psychotherapy. The consideration will begin by addressing some of the myths and fantasies about ethics and proceed with a proposed working definition of ethics. This definition will propose a specific context for professional codes of ethics so the two distinct topics of 'ethics' and 'codes of ethics' are less likely to be confused.

The role and relevance of ethics to psychotherapy today will be considered against some established ethical principles, together with due consideration of what some scholars have to say relevant to the theme of this enquiry. Consideration will also be given to some possible ethical challenges facing the profession at large together with the need for some supportive structure which can facilitate discourse on emerging and on-going challenges so they can be embraced in a meaningful and productive way.

In conclusion, the paper will consider the question 'what role, if any, does ethics currently play in contemporary psychotherapy?' before arguing in favour of the need for a sound ethical foundation for contemporary psychotherapy which can ensure the creative horizons of the profession, and the community it serves, can flourish.

To read the full range of abstracts follow this link to the Conference book of abstracts.

You are welcome to contact me with any quesitons or comments at 353-86-8545407 or by e-mail in confidence to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it