ETHICS OF WORKING AS A PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGIST WITH SENSITIVE ISSUES IN WAR CONDITIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54662/veresen.1.2026.07Keywords:
code of ethics, ethics, professional ethics of a psychologist, professional responsibility, psychological assistance, reflection, sensitive topicsAbstract
The article presents a theoretical analysis of the ethical principles of practical psychologists who work with clients on sensitive topics in the context of full-scale war in Ukraine. The author defines sensitive topics as client requests that are accompanied by a high level of emotional intensity, trauma, and the potential risk of re-experiencing trauma. Based on the results of the survey and analysis of case studies of the activities of mobile teams, private practice, and the education system in Mykolaiv Oblast, the study identifies groups of such requests, including psychological trauma from war experiences, loss and complicated grief, experiences of violence, intense emotional states, existential crises, and moral dilemmas. Psychological trauma from war experience refers to clients' requests that involve psychological trauma related to combat operations, shelling, occupation, forced displacement, captivity/abduction, or prolonged threats to life. Loss and complicated grief – requests caused by difficult experiences of the death of loved ones, loss of home, personal belongings, familiar lifestyle, social roles, and plans for the future. Experience of violence – a group of sensitive topics for clients, including experiences of physical, social, psychological, and sexual violence. Intense emotional states – requests for psychological help caused by a strong sense of guilt for having survived, shame for one's own reactions or inaction, as well as anger and aggression. Existential crises and moral dilemmas – questions about the meaning of life, justice, responsibility, and moral choices. An analysis of scientific sources has shown that war increases ethical risks in the work of modern Ukrainian psychologists, including retraumatization of clients, secondary traumatization of specialists, exceeding professional boundaries, and the influence of personal traumatic experiences. The article also outlines the basic ethical principles of working with clients on sensitive topics in accordance with the standards of the NPA Psychologist Code of Ethics: respect for human rights and dignity, competence, responsibility, and honesty. Practical recommendations include regular reflection and supervision, adherence to the rule of «sufficient help», control of one's own psychological resources, and ethical use of crisis- and trauma-oriented approaches. The author notes that effective work with clients on sensitive topics in wartime requires adherence to ethical principles, specialized training of psychologists, and a clear definition of the boundaries of professional competence. This is key to ensuring the responsible provision of psychological assistance, preserving and restoring the psycho-emotional state of clients, and preventing professional misconduct in complex crisis conditions and situations involving professional dilemmas.
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