Which of the following is NOT a part of the ethical standards in psychotherapy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Assurance of successful outcome of therapy
Ethical standards tell a professional psychotherapist how the client must be treated: with consent, privacy, an honest relationship, respect and competence.
Option (1) Informed consent — An ethical standard (Incorrect). Informed consent needs to be taken: the client agrees to the therapy after being told what it involves.
Option (2) Confidentiality — An ethical standard (Incorrect). The confidentiality of the client should be maintained: what the client shares in therapy is not passed on to others.
Option (3) Integrity of the professional-client relationship — An ethical standard (Incorrect). The integrity of the practitioner-client relationship is important: the therapist keeps the relationship honest and professional and does not misuse it.
Option (4) Assurance of successful outcome of therapy — Not an ethical standard (Correct). The standard is that alleviating personal distress and suffering should be the goal of all the therapist’s attempts. A goal is not a guarantee: healing depends also on the client, the problem and many other factors, so no therapist can honestly promise success. An assurance of a successful outcome would itself mislead the client.
NCERT (2025-26): “Ethics in Psychotherapy … Some of the ethical standards that need to be practiced by professional psychotherapists are :
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