Ethics Committee

We would like to introduce ourselves as members of the Ethics Committee and to explain how the Committee works. We are:  David Christy, Chair; Ronda Bostick; Debbara Dingman; Marvice Marcus; Penelope Norton; and Marilyn Schwartz.

We differ from most ethics committees in that our primary roles are to educate and advise. We strive to further AAP members’ awareness of ethics through workshops on ethics, our Academy Newsletter Ethics Column and ethics consultations with AAP members. One benefit of AAP membership is that the Ethics Committee is available to provide free and confidential consultation about ethical issues that arise in the context of members’ practices.

In addition, we are a potential resource to a member who is the object of an ethics complaint or an ethics investigation by a licensing board or other professional organization. Over the years, we’ve gained experience about best practices in dealing with professional licensing boards. Unfortunately, many licensing board investigations have a “guilty until proven innocent” air about them, and the process can be traumatic for the therapist under investigation. If you are investigated or subject to a complaint, please contact the Ethics Chair or any member of the Ethics Committee. A member of the Committee will be assigned to support you.

We welcome the opportunity to be of assistance. We encourage you to approach any of us with questions and concerns about ethics, as well as with suggestions for future ethics workshops or Newsletter columns.

Ethics Committee contact information:

David Christy, Chair, 202-664-2825, david@davidchristypsychotherapy.com

Ronda Bostick, 386-882-8935, ronda.bostick@gmail.com

Debbara Dingman, 404-325-8512 x705, d.dingman@comcast.net

Marvice Marcus, 984-212-8718, marvice@interioritycc.com

Penelope Norton, 386-676-5420, psynorton@aol.com

Marilyn Schwartz, 202-422-5009, drmarilynschwartz@gmail.com