Why is it unethical for a psychologist to advertise "guaranteed results"?

Advertising "guaranteed results" is considered unethical primarily because it can create unrealistic expectations for clients. Psychotherapy is a complex process that often involves dealing with nuanced and individualized human experiences. By promising guaranteed outcomes, a psychologist might suggest that therapy will always lead to specific results or solutions, which is not reflective of the inherent variability in therapeutic progress.

Such assurances can lead clients to believe that they will inevitably achieve their goals, which might not be the case due to various factors that influence therapeutic outcomes, including the client's personal circumstances, engagement in the process, and the nature of the issues being addressed. Creating these kinds of expectations can undermine the therapeutic relationship and could potentially lead to dissatisfaction or feelings of failure if the anticipated results are not achieved. This aligns with ethical standards that prioritize accurate representation of services and encourage psychologists to promote informed consent based on realistic perspectives on therapy outcomes.