1. What are at
least two legal issues associated with clinical psychology? Provide an example
of a situation that could be legal but unethical. Explain your response.
Confidentiality is a legal issues associated with clinical
psychology. Psychologists are legally
required to keep information between the client and themselves unless the
psychologist feels that the patient is going to harm themselves or someone
else. Also, a psychologist is legally
required to alert authorities or child protective services if a child is being neglected
or abused. Issues arise when the
psychologist either does not inform the patient that there are some cases in
which information cannot be kept confidential, or when the psychologist
withholds information from authorities. Problems
also occur when a psychologist breaks confidentiality without gaining
permission from the patient (Plante, 2011).
Informed consent is another legal issue dealt with in the
field of clinical psychology. Plante
(2011) gives an example of a psychologist who evaluated both parents in custody
battle and then used their statements without informing them or acquiring consent. This doctor broke the law by using confidential
information without the permission of his clients.
As a psychologist it is important to remain professional
even when closeness is developed between doctor and patient. If a woman came in and told her psychologist
that she was having an affair and did not know what to do. It may be legal for the psychologist to
advise the patient to continue with the affair, but it certainly would be
unethical.
2.
What
are at least two ethical issues associated with clinical psychology? Provide an
example of a situation that could be ethical but illegal. Explain your
response.
Recordkeeping is an ethical issue associated with clinical
psychology. The method utilized to keep
records in addition to the time period they are kept after treatment is
terminated are both concerns in the field of clinical psychology. Online databases may be easily hacked into,
which leaves room for worry that a patient’s information may be stolen or
destroyed. It is best to keep records in
paper form inside of a locked area within the doctor’s office. This allows for easy access by the
psychologist and privacy from unwanted theft. Competence is another example of
an ethical issue. Plante (2011) introduces competence by stating that the
psychologist “must provide only services for which they
have the appropriate training and experience and remain up-to-date regarding advances
in the field to ensure that they maintain state-of-the-art skills (p.
374). Concern may arise if a
psychologist were to offer help that is outside of his or her skill level. Also, it is important that the psychologist maintain
his or her skills by continuing education and staying up-to-date with new
methods of treatment.
The doctor that performed testing on the two
parents can be used as an example of a situation that could be ethical but
illegal. The doctor went about the
situation illegally by not obtaining informed consent before using confidential
information. The father admitted to the
doctor that he did not really want custody of the child, but really just wanted
to get back at the child’s mother. Even
though the doctor was acting illegally by using a tape recorder and using information
without informed consent, he was still acting in an ethical way considering
that the father did not actually want custody of his child.
3. Define professional boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations. What effects do
boundaries have on the therapeutic relationship?
Professional boundaries are limits and rules of behavior
set by the psychologist. This may
include things such as dressing modestly, not talking about his or her own
problems, and meeting only at the office.
These boundaries are set to ensure that the doctor and patient maintain
a healthy relationship.
According to Aravind, Krishnaram, and
Thasneem (2012) “A boundary
crossing is a deviation from classical therapeutic activity that is harmless,
non-exploitative, and possibly supportive of the therapy itself. In contrast, a
boundary violation is harmful or potentially harmful, to the patient and the
therapy. It constitutes exploitation of the patient” (para. 8).
Boundaries are used to keep a
safe distance from the patient and psychologist. In order for therapy to be successful both
psychologist and patient must adhere to such boundaries to keep the
relationship from being unhealthy and harmful.
Boundaries against physical touch, sexual innuendos, flirting, and
talking of the psychologist’s personal life, keep the relationship professional
and ethical.
4. What are at
least two cultural limitations associated with assessment and treatment? In
your response, discuss the use or misuse of assessment instruments, therapy
techniques, research results, or any other facet of clinical practice that
could have potentially harmful, culture-specific implications.
It is important for the psychologist to have an understanding
of the patient’s cultural background to properly treat him or her. Educational
background is an example of a cultural limitation associated with assessment
and treatment in clinical psychology.
There are thousands of assessments out there, but only a few may be
considered among a specific culture because of education limitations. It would be difficult to give an age
appropriate Standards of Learning (SOL) test to a child who has never been to school. That child would not pass the test because
they lack the information and background needed to succeed on the test. The test may be measuring what it is supposed
to, but it does not apply to that individual and cannot be used to assess for
treatment. The understanding and
expectation of common interest is also an example of a cultural
limitation. A behavior that is
considered abnormal in western cultures may be considered normal in other
cultures around the world. Plante (2011)
suggests that “psychologists need to develop
appropriate culturally informed intervention strategies and techniques” (p.
254).
References
Aravind,
V. K., Krishnaram, V. D., & Thasneem, Z. (2012, Jan-Mar). Boundary
crossings and violations in clinical settings. Indian Journal of
Psychological Medicine, 34(1), 21-24.
Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3361837/#__ffn_sectitle
Plante,
T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical
psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
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