Which of the following is not an ethical standard in Psychotherapy?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Help to be provided by mindfulness based meditation

Ethical standards tell a professional psychotherapist how the client must be treated: with consent, privacy, respect and competence.

Option (1) Informed consent needs to be taken — An ethical standard (Incorrect). The client agrees to the therapy after being told what it involves.

Option (2) Help to be provided by mindfulness based meditation — Not an ethical standard (Correct). Mindfulness-based or Vipasana meditation is a treatment technique, one of the alternative therapies: the person passively observes the bodily sensations and thoughts passing through her or his awareness. A way of treating a client is not a rule of professional conduct, and no therapist is bound to use it.

Option (3) Confidentiality of the client should be maintained — An ethical standard (Incorrect). What the client shares in therapy is not passed on to others.

Option (4) Respect for human rights and dignity — An ethical standard (Incorrect). The client is to be treated with respect for her or his rights and dignity, whatever the problem.

NCERT (2025-26): “Ethics in Psychotherapy … Some of the ethical standards that need to be practiced by professional psychotherapists are :

1. Informed consent needs to be taken.
2. Confidentiality of the client should be maintained.
3. Alleviating personal distress and suffering should be the goal of all attempts of the therapist.
4. Integrity of the practitioner -client relationship is important.
5. Respect for human rights and dignity.
6. Professional competence and skills are essential.…”

“Alternative Therapies … Meditation refers to the practice of focusing attention on breath or on an object or thought or a mantra. Here attention is focused. In Vipasana meditation, also known as mindfulness-based meditation, there is no fixed object or thought to hold the attention. The person passively observes the various bodily sensations and thoughts that are passing through in her or his awareness.…”