Positive Ethics for Mental Health Professionals. Sharon K. Anderson

About the Authors

      Sharon K. Anderson, Ph.D., is Professor of Counseling and Career Development at Colorado State University. In 1993, Sharon earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Sharon became a licensed psychologist in 1995. Her experience as a practitioner includes private practice with adults and older people, supervision of masters-level students and those seeking licensure, and consultation regarding ethical issues in practice. Sharon has taught the master’s-level ethics course for counseling students for over 25 years—teaching/mentoring a multitude of students. She has co-authored or co-edited other ethics books used by psychologists (Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research and Teaching in Psychology and Counseling) and life coaches (Law and Ethics in Coaching: How to Solve and Avoid Difficult Problems in Your Practice). She has over 50 publications including books, book chapters, and refereed articles, most of them looking at the practice of professional ethics, teaching ethics, and issues of privilege. In her spare time she rides her motorcycle, reads for enjoyment and rejuvenation, and travels to see family.

Mitchell M. Handelsman, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and CU President’s Teaching Scholar at the University of Colorado Denver, where he has been since 1982. Mitch earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1981. He is a licensed psychologist and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (STP). He served for a year (1989–1990) in Washington DC as an APA Congressional Science Fellow. Mitch has won numerous teaching awards, including the 1992 CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) Colorado Professor of the Year Award, and STP’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1995. He has co-authored one other ethics book, Ethical Dilemmas in Psychotherapy: Positive Approaches to Decision Making (2015; with Sam Knapp and Michael Gottlieb). He is an associate editor of the APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology (2012). He has published over 70 refereed articles and book chapters, many on ethics- and teaching-related topics. His blog for PsychologyToday.com (“The Ethical Professor”) focuses on ethical and teaching issues. He is co-author of The Life of Charlie Burrell: Breaking the Color Barrier in Classical Music. In his spare time he plays jazz trumpet.