In what situations may a psychologist ethically provide services without informed consent?

Providing services without informed consent is a sensitive area in psychology, as informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical practice. The correct choice involves urgent situations where there is imminent danger. In these circumstances, the psychologist may act without the standard need for consent to prevent harm to the client or others. This could include scenarios where an individual is seriously contemplating self-harm, threatening others, or cannot make rational decisions due to mental incapacitation. In such cases, the urgency of the situation necessitates immediate action to protect life and well-being.

Other contexts, like non-emergency consultations, do not justify the bypassing of informed consent. Furthermore, personal feelings about a client's dissatisfaction with prior services or belief in their best interest do not constitute valid reasons for overriding the necessity of informed consent. Ethical guidelines prioritize the client's autonomy and decision-making capability unless there’s a clear, immediate risk that requires intervention for safety.