Ethics Committees 

CHAIR:  DOUGLAS FAVERO, PHD

The DCPA Ethics Committee is available to answer ethical questions for DC psychologists. 

ETHICS COMMITTEE

The basic purpose of the DCPA Ethics Committee is to support and uphold ethical sensitivity and practice among members of the District of Columbia Psychological Association. We serve primarily as an educative and consultative body to our membership, the DCPA Board of Directors and, as appropriate, to the public. We are not an investigative or punitive body. To achieve our goal of providing education, consultation, and support, the committee provides seminars, consultation groups, and individual consultation.  For more information contact Doug Favero at robertfavero@aol.com.

Procedures for Individual Ethical Consultation 

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct

COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT

The American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct provide a foundation for psychologists' systematic and public application of professional expertise to social issues. Therefore, the overarching mission of this committee is to cultivate and channel engagement, connection and collective responsibility in relevant areas of social justice among DCPA members and the communities we serve.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We aim to create opportunities for genuine exchange where a diversity of voices and perspectives can be shared.

1.  While we value a variety of perspectives, we recognize power and privilege differentials and prioritize marginalized voices.

2.  We aim to provide spaces where we can explore and address cultural conditioning and other systemic forces such as racism, sexism, and poverty that promote divisiveness, exploitation and inequity.

3.  We aim to connect with the community in visible, accessible and meaningful ways. 

4.  We recognize the reciprocal benefits of community engagement.

5.  We recognize research emphasizing that our social connections and sense of belonging are fundamental human needs, powerfully and intricately linked to our wellbeing. 

6.  We identify values-based and research-driven platforms for activism.

7.  We aim to honor the APA Ethical Principles of Beneficence, Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, and Respect for People's Rights and Dignity.

ACTIONS

1.  We will identify priority issues and areas of focus around which to raise awareness, advocate and organize actions.

2.  We will self-educate to address our own blind spots and areas of insufficient knowledge, so that we can respectfully be in solidarity with members of our DC community.

3.  We will provide training and professional development opportunities for our membership in identified areas of focus.

4.  We will partner with organizations in a way that is driven by organizational needs and the priorities of affected community members.

5.  We will partner with professional organizations representing different voices and life experiences.

6.  We will increase access to mental health services within DC by:

• Assembling resource lists and directories accurately reflecting members’ areas of expertise and community needs.
• Providing support groups, workshops, and empirically supported information in response to community needs, concerns, and crises.
• Making specific outreach efforts to the most vulnerable within our communities.
• Engaging in policy dialogues, making public statements, and advocating for legislation in ways that fulfill our ethical principles and multicultural guidelines and in response to current events.