Ethical guidelines financial dealings

Question 1

How can a psychologist clearly inform their clients abut the purchase of pyschological services

Answer 1

1. By outlining frequency, duration as well as the financial and administrative basis psycological services provided

Question 2

What does the APS charter for clients of psychologists include

Answer 2

1. Clear statement about fees
2. Consent for any services
3. An estimate of the number of session required to achieve goals

Question 3

What should you do if a client is clearly not benefiting from services

Answer 3

Terminate their psychological services and refer on

Question 4

What do you do if a client can no longer afford treatment

Answer 4

consult with the client about available options. But it is important to avoid the accumulation of large bills that the client is unlikely to be able to pay in a reasonable period of time or may not be able to pay at all

Question 5

What 5 things could you do if a client has outstanding accounts or if someone can not pay

Answer 5

1. Adjust the frequency nature or extent of services to match the client’s budget
2. Organise payment by instalments over an agreed period of time
3. Discuss lower cost options that provide similar services
4. Organise an additional fee for ongoing clients to pay as a surcharge to make up for outstanding fees
5. Terminate servce in a way that avoids harm to the client

Question 6

When providing services that is being paid by a 3rd party what should you do?

Answer 6

Ensure you only provide the services specified by the funding agreement.

Question 7

Why can’t you receive a comission for referring a client to another psychologist

Answer 7

Because psychologists may then not act in the client’s best interest and be swayed by money