4.3 confidentiality in context part 1

Question 1

a psychologist’s primary obligation is to protect

Answer 1

client disclosures as a vital part of the therapeutic relationship

Question 2

The APS Guidelines on confidentiality categorise the requirement to forgo confidentiality being one of two situations

Answer 2

1) Situations in which psychologists are legally obliged to disclose client information.

2) Situations in which psychologists are legally allowed but not compelled to disclose client information.

Question 3

psychologists are legally obligated to disclose confidential information under any one or more of the following conditions

Answer 3

With the consent of the relevant client or a person

with legal authority to act on a client’s behalf.

Where there is a legal obligation to do so.

If there is an immediate and specific risk of harm to identifiable person/people that can be averted only by disclosure.

Or when consulting with colleagues in the course of supervision/training where identities are concealed or the client consents.

Question 4

The APS Guidelines on Confidentiality (2015) also specifically refer to the

Answer 4

legal obligation of psychologists to report child abuse and neglect

Question 5

psychologists as an occupational group are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect

Answer 5

only in some states and territories of Australia

Question 6

Mandated (or mandatory) reporting means that

Answer 6

persons from specified occupational groups or organisations are legally required by Acts to report suspected abuse or neglect.

Question 7

Mandated (or mandatory) reporting means that

Answer 7

persons from specified occupational groups or organisations are legally required by Acts to report suspected abuse or neglect.

Question 8

Victoria is one state in which only

Answer 8

physical abuse and sexual abuse must be reported

Question 9

When making a decision about legally permitted disclosure, the psychologist should consider

Answer 9

1. what to disclose.
2. whether the client’s consent is required.
3. the potential impact of disclosure on the therapeutic relationship.
4. the consequences of not disclosing
5. whether to inform clients of the disclosure decision.

Question 10

information disclosed should be only that necessary to achieve _______ and only communicated to those ______

Answer 10

the purpose of the disclosure; necessary to achieve the purpose of the disclosure

Question 11

Australian psychologists can confuse the difference between legally ____ and legally ______

Answer 11

obligated; permitted

Question 12

Australian psychologists can confuse the difference between legally ____ and legally ______

Answer 12

obligated; permitted

Question 13

Research has demonstrated that psychologists are not particularly accurate in predicting

Answer 13

dangerousness

Question 14

Research by Teo et al. (2012) showed that a checklist of 5 factors could identify risk factors for imminent violence. These are

Answer 14

1. Active symptoms of serious mental illness (particularly command hallucinations)
2. Impulsivity
3. Lack of insight and/or disconnection from reality
4. Lack of empathy or remorse
5. Poor response to treatments such as anxiolytics.

Question 15

Teo et al.’s (2012) checklist resulted in correct identification of risk of harm

Answer 15

roughly 70% of the time

Question 16

Teo et al.’ (2012) found that paranoia was _____ associated with risk of harm to others

Answer 16

not