Ethical decision-making models: a taxonomy of models and review of issues

ABSTRACT A discussion of ethical decision-making literature is overdue. In this article, we summarize the current literature of ethical decision-making models used in mental health professions. Of 1,520 articles published between 2001 and 2020 that met initial search criteria, 38 articles were included. We report on the status of empirical evidence for the use of these models along with comparisons, limitations, and considerations. Ethical decision-making models were synthesized into eight core procedural components and presented based on the composition of steps present in each model. This taxonomy provides practitioners, trainers, students, and supervisors relevant information regarding ethical decision-making models.