ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Flashcards
the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) recognized the
need to update its Code of Ethics for Clinical Psychologists, which had been in
place since the 1980s.
2000’s
the PAP Board of Directors decided to revise the Code
2007
Dr. Allan B. I.Bernardo was appointed Chair of the Scientific and Professional Ethics Committee, with Dr. Ma. Lourdes A. Carandang, Dr. Natividad A. Dayan, Dr. Rosalito De Guzman, and Ms. Anna Guerrero as members.
2008
Aspirational Principles
set of ideal ethical goals for psychology practitioners — the values they strive to uphold in their professional conduct.
They guide moral and ethical judgment, but they aren’t specific rules for behavior.
Enforceable Ethical Standards
specific rules and obligations psychologists and psychometricians must follow.
They are concrete, actionable, and subject to disciplinary action if violated.
Core Principles
Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples
Competent Caring for the Well-Being of
Persons and Peoples
Integrity
Professional and Scientific
Responsibilities to Society
mentioned in the General Ethical Standards and Procedures (PAP) including IV.A
Confidentiality
It is our duty to safeguard any information divulged by our clients, regardless of the medium where it was stored.
“Maintaining Confidentiality,”
Limitation of Confidentiality
Duty to Discuss limitations
Informing Clients Before Sessions
Releasing Information if needed
Electronic Transmission Risks
When can Confidentiality be Broken?
Immediate danger to self or to others
Harm to vulnerable individuals (children, disabled persons, or elders)
Payment collection for services
Compliance with state or federal law
Duty to War
Clinical psychologists (and other therapists) have understood that there are limits to their confidentiality agreements with clients and that they have a duty to warn people toward whom their clients make credible, serious threats.
The rationale is to prevent “public peril” when credible threats are DISCLOSED to therapy.
Challenger in Applying Duty to Warn
Difficulty in assessing the credibility of threats and the intent to act.
Should only life threatening threats be reported, or lesser harms as well?
Balancing the protection of potential victims against the treatment needs of the client.
Conflict between maintaining confidentiality and preventing harm to others. No universal answers—decisions depend on legal, ethical, and professional considerations
When the Client is a Child or an Adolescent
One particular challenge centers on the fact that for many children and adolescents, the establishment of a close, trusting relationship with a clinical psychologist depends on the extent to which the psychologist reveals details of one-on-one conversations with the child’s parents (Knapp & VandeCreek, 2006; Richards, 2003; Tribbensee & Claiborn, 2003).
Human Relations
specifically mentioned in the PAP Code of Ethics and in numerous specific General Ethical Standards and Procedures including III. Human Relations which includes twelve areas that are designed to uphold ethical standards and protect the rights and dignity of individuals in the psychology profession.
These twelve areas discuss:
- Unfair Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Other Harassment
- Avoiding Harm
- Multiple Relationships
- Conflict of Interest
- Third-Party Requests for Services
- Exploitative Relationship
- Cooperation with Other Professionals
- Informed Consent
- Psychological Services Delivered to or through Organizations
- Interruption of Psychological Services
It assures the person with whom the psychologist is working the opportunity to become knowledgeable about the activities in which they may participate, and it facilitates an educated decision. Moreover, it affords individuals the opportunity to refuse to consent if they so choose.
Informed Consent
Informed Consent in PAP
Obtaining Informed Consent
Essential for research, therapy, assessments, and consulting services (in-person or electronic). Use language that is understandable to the individual or group, unless law dictates otherwise.
Protection for Vulnerable Individuals
For those legally incapable of consent (minors,disabled individuals), provide clear explanation and seek assent. Obtain permission from a legally authorized person if required by law
-Court-Ordered or Mandated Services
Inform individuals when services are court ordered or mandated, including limits to
confidentiality.
Documentation of Consent
Appropriately document written or oral consent, advanced directives, and assent to ensure proper records of consent are kept.
In general, it can be problematic for clinical psychologists to know someone professionally—as, say, a therapy client or student—and to also know that person in another way—as, say, a friend, business partner, or romantic partner.
Multiple Relationships
A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist has both a professional and
nonprofessional relationship with a client or someone closely associated with
the client. This can happen in three ways:
The psychologist is in another role with the client simultaneously.
The psychologist is in a relationship with someone closely associated with the client.
The psychologist promises to enter another relationship with the client or someone closely associated with them in the future.
Strictly prohibited (APA Standard 10.05). Engaging in sexual relationships with a current client is an ethical violation and can cause serious emotional and psychological harm.
Sexual Multiple Relationships
These include friendships, business partnerships, religious affiliations, or working in the same organization.
Nonsexual Multiple Relationships
Multiple Roles in Legal or Administrative Proceedings
Core Principle
When a psychologist is required to serve multiple roles in judicial or administrative proceedings (e.g., as an expert witness and consultant), they must inform the authorities upfront about their Code of Ethics.
