ETHICS - Multiple Clients (not relationships)

Question 1

Q: The person you are seeing - and relationship issue comes up and they are seeing you for work cover

Answer 1

YOU CAN NOT HELP THEM WITH THESE ISSUE WITH WORK COVER - once you finish you can help them (you can only do the work injury so far) come back and I could see you under Medicare or private health insure

Question 2

Some points on multiple clients

Answer 2

Stick to the brief and the most legal answer and not the exception (in exam think about what they have given you ONLY)
Only what’s related to the injury
You report someone if they are not coming for the right reasons
If Medicare refers for Anxiety - and client asks for couple therapy they have to deal with Anxiety ONLY you need to write to the Dr - then refer on from there
First Education about couples etc and check this is what they want to work on

Question 3

Q: There was a question where psych is in session with a client when clients husband comes in to the practice demanding to speak to see his wife (history of aggression towards wife). what do you do? do you ask him to wait; do you call the police; do you continue session with client?

Answer 3

If an AVO call Police - I can’t say yes or no - leave the practice - otherwise I will have to call the Police because you are trespassing

RULE OF THUMB - Risk, threat AVO breeching AVO - call the Police (most protection for 1- client 2- yourself)

Question 4

Psychologists who agree to provide psychological services to an individual, group of people, or
organisation at the request of a third party, at the outset explain to all parties concerned:

POINTS ON MULTIPLE CLIENTS

Answer 4

(a) the nature of the relationship with each of them;
(b) the psychologist’s role (such as, but not limited to, case manager, consultant, counsellor,
expert witness, facilitator, therapist);
(c) the probable uses of the information obtained;
(d) the limits to confidentiality; and
(e) the financial arrangements relating to the provision of the service where relevant
Psychologists disclose confidential information obtained in the course of their provision of
psychological services only under any one or more of the following circumstances:
(a) with the consent of the relevant client or a person with legal authority to act on behalf of the
client;
(b) where there is a legal obligation to do so;
(c) if there is an immediate and specified risk of harm to an identifiable person or persons that
can be averted only by disclosing information; or
(d) when consulting colleagues, or in the course of supervision or professional training,
provided the psychologist:
(i) conceals the identity of clients and associated parties involved; or
(ii) obtains the client’s consent, and gives prior notice to the recipients of the information that
they are required to preserve the client’s privacy, and obtains an undertaking from the
recipients of the information that they will preserve the client’s privacy.