Section 6 Flashcards
Explain how the Tarasoff case has impacted confidentiality in the counselling relationship
p.284 (also somewhere in W1…)
S6
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Counsellors are becoming increasingly concerned about liability if someone harms themselves or others. The Tarasoff case lead to a hyperfocus on the ethics of self and other harm.
Is having a graduate levels ethics course enough to prevent future ethical violations?
S6
p.284
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
No.
Fly van Bark et al. research suggests that it is not enough
Suggests that it would be more effective to
Continued encouragement of the lobbying of professional associations to legislate the counselling profession across Canada
AND
institute requirement for ongoing supervised practice of professional counsellors post grad
What is considered the corner stone of the counselling profession?
S6
p.287
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
TRUST within a confidential therapeutic relationship
What is the first thing you should clarify when working with third party cases and guardianship cases?
S6
p.287
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Who the client is:
Insurance provider?
Parent??
Who owns confidentiality?
S6
p.287
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
The client.
What is privilege?
S6
p.291
Robinson, Lehr And Severi
When info is privileged, a witness may not be compelled to testify/disclose this information in court
*relevant information is excluded in order to further social values EXTERNAL to the trial process such as maintaining therapeutic, confidential relationships
Privileged communication protects against forced disclosure in legal proceedings.
What must counsellors do before promising to maintain confidentiality?
S6
p.294
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Explain the limitations of it:
- imminent danger to third-party/self
- suspected abuse of a child/elder
- disclosure ordered by court
- client requests a disclosure
- client files a complaint
What was the result of the Tarasoff case
S6
p.298
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
An affirmative duty was imposed on therapists to warn a potential victim
What is the difference between a subpoena and a court order?
S6
p.303
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Subpoena (summoms to witness) is issued by a lawyer
- document requiring counsellor named to got to court to be a witness and/or provide certain documents to the court.
Court order is issued by the judge
May be held in contempt of court if not obeyed
Note: request for information from a lawyer is NOT automatically a subpoena; it is an informal request and should be treated as such
According to the CCPA standards of practice, what should you do if you receive a subpoena or court order?
p.303
S6
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
- Respond promptly
- Do not alter client records
- Reflect on what would be the best for the client–are there grounds to argue that confidentiality should be maintained?
- Seek legal counsel before taking any action–could negotiate what information is released
- Inform relevant client named in subpoena
- Provide information to court in accordance with wigamore if information should not be released
What is a search warrant?
p.306
S6
Robinson, Lehr And Severi
Form of court order obtained by the Justice of the Peace who has reasonable grounds to think that evidence related to a crime is at a specific address.
Grants police permission to enter private areas.
Justice of the Peace balances individual privacy interests against interest of the state before issuing the warrant
Legally obligated to turn records over to police offers
What should you do if you get served a search warrant?
p.307
S6
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Ask to see the warrant
-make sure it’s signed by justice of the peace
-make sure it is currently valid
-confirm the records they are requesting match verbally with what is on the paper
-ask for a copy for your records
Attempt to seek legal advice BEFORE responding to warrant
If you can’t —>
Providing the records
-Place them in a sealed envelope that reads ‘PRIVLEDGE ASSERTED. Do not open”
-Give police name of your legal counsel
-Inform client of what has occurred–advise them
Doctrine of qualified immunity
p.308
S6
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
Protects you from LIABILITY in the event you broke confidentiality out of concern for the clients, or others, well being
A GOLD A- Appropriate manner/parties G - Good Faith O - Occasion (proper) L - Limited in scope D- Demonstrated duty being fulfilled
Conditions that must be met:
- action was taken in good faith
- there was a demonstrative duty or interest to be fulfilled by the disclosure
- the disclosure was limited in scope to this duty or interest
- It was done on a proper occasion
- The disclosure was made in an appropriate manner an to the appropriate parties
What 3 criteria resulted from the ruling of the Smith v Jones case?
S6
p.300
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
- Is there a clear risk to an identifiable person or group of persons?
- Is there a risk of serious bodily harm or death
- Is the danger imminent?
Define confidentiality as relevant to psychology
S6
p.287
(Robinson, Lehr And Severi)
A set of principles assuring trust or confidence in the person with whom private matters are shared