Professional Ethical Concerns and Recommendations on Psychological Interventions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Abstract

When COVID-19 pandemic hit China, Chinese clinical psychologists, counselors and other practitioners reacted quickly to provide psychological interventions for different target groups. Different professional ethical concerns and potential transgressions arose during different stages of pandemic. This paper aimed to summarize different ethical concerns and transgressions during different stages of pandemic in China, as well as how the professional ethical workgroup in the registration system of clinical psychologists and professional organizations of Chinese Psychological Society (CPS) to publish a series of documents as recommendations on ethical practice. It is hoped by providing a picture of “problems vs. solutions” in terms of professional ethical issues on psychological interventions for COVID-19 pandemic in China, the paper may provide certain inspirations as well as emotional support to clinical practitioners from other countries and regions who have been fighting the pandemic.