Final answer:
The APS ethical guidelines advocate for sensitively addressing gender-specific needs in therapy, following the principles of care ethics, and considering the unique moral perspectives of women and girls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The APS ethical guidelines suggest that when working with women and girls, therapists should be sensitively addressing gender-specific needs rather than disregarding them. This approach aligns with the ethical principles of care ethics, which highlight the importance of interpersonal relationships and the moral frameworks of women. Feminist theorist Carol Gilligan emphasized that women's moral perspectives, focusing on aspects such as empathy, care, and maintaining relationships, offer a valuable alternative to traditional "justice-oriented" frameworks that are often deemed impersonal and rule-driven. It is crucial for ethical practices in therapy to recognize and validate the gender-specific experiences and perspectives of women and girls, ensuring that therapy does not perpetuate any form of gender bias or magnify gender stereotypes.
In light of these principles, therapy should seek to undermine traditional norms that fail to consider the individual's concrete situation and aim to empower by focusing on the interests of all, particularly the vulnerable. Gender binarism is challenged in this context by appreciating the nuances and diversity of personal experiences without enforcing restrictive stereotypes. Thus, ethical treatment would certainly involve consideration of gender as a significant aspect of an individual's identity and experiences, but it should be approached in a way that is affirming and supportive, rather than restrictive or oppressive.