Professional and Ethical Practice Flashcards

A psychologist in a rural town is providing therapy to a client. During a session, the client reveals they are a teacher at the local primary school where the psychologist's child is a student. Which of the following is the psychologist's most critical first step according to professional and ethical guidelines?

Answer: Acknowledge the dual relationship, discuss its potential impacts on therapy with the client, and document the conversation.

The Psychology Board of Australia's Code of Conduct requires psychologists to manage multiple relationships ethically. The first and most critical step is to openly discuss the nature of the dual relationship with the client, exploring potential impacts on objectivity, confidentiality, and therapeutic effectiveness. While referral might be necessary later, it is not the immediate first step. Ignoring the situation is unethical, and informing the school would be a breach of confidentiality.

Under the Psychology Board of Australia's Code of Conduct, which of the following is a primary justification for breaking confidentiality without the client's consent?

Answer: To prevent a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable person.

The ethical principle of confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychological practice, but it is not absolute. The Code of Conduct and relevant legislation permit and often mandate a breach of confidentiality when there is a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to the client or another identifiable person. Requests from lawyers, police (in most circumstances without a warrant or court order), or family members do not automatically override the duty of confidentiality.

A psychologist is asked by a colleague to take over a complex case. The psychologist has not had specific training or supervised experience in the therapeutic modality most appropriate for the client's presenting issue. What is the most ethical course of action?

Answer: Decline the referral, explaining the limitations of their competence, and offer to help find a suitably qualified practitioner.

The principle of 'Propriety' in the Code of Conduct emphasizes the importance of competence. Psychologists must practice within the boundaries of their skills and expertise. The most ethical action is to recognize one's limitations, decline the referral to avoid providing substandard care, and assist in directing the client to a practitioner with the required expertise. This upholds the psychologist's duty of care.

Which of the following best describes the principle of 'Integrity' as it applies to a psychologist's professional practice?

Answer: Being honest and objective in all professional dealings and avoiding dual relationships.

Integrity involves being straightforward, honest, and truthful in professional relationships. It means avoiding conflicts of interest, refraining from exploiting others, and ensuring that personal values do not compromise professional judgment. While providing high standards of care (Beneficence), maintaining competence (Propriety), and respecting autonomy are all crucial ethical principles, integrity specifically relates to honesty and objectivity in professional conduct.

A provisional psychologist is completing their internship and feels overwhelmed by their caseload and a personally distressing counter-transference reaction to a client. According to the Psychology Board of Australia's guidelines, which of the following is NOT an appropriate action?

Answer: Informing the client that they are feeling overwhelmed and need to end the therapeutic relationship immediately.

While psychologists must manage their own well-being to practice effectively, abruptly ending a therapeutic relationship without a proper termination process can be seen as client abandonment and is unethical. The appropriate steps involve seeking supervision, personal therapy, and implementing self-care. Any changes to the therapeutic relationship, including termination, must be handled professionally and ethically, prioritising the client's welfare, which involves a planned process, not a sudden announcement of the psychologist's own distress.

A psychologist is preparing a report for a court. The report will be used in a child custody dispute. The ethical requirement of 'objectivity' in this context means the psychologist must:

Answer: Base their conclusions solely on verifiable data and psychological testing, and clearly state the limits of their findings.

In forensic contexts, objectivity is paramount. The psychologist's role is not to advocate for one party but to provide an impartial, evidence-based assessment. This involves relying on objective data, acknowledging any limitations of the assessment or data, and avoiding personal bias. Presenting only favourable information or strongly advocating for one side compromises this objectivity and is unethical.