Psy/480 - The Practice of Clinical Psychology Worksheet

The Practice of Clinical Psychology Worksheet

Answer the following questions. Your response to each question must be at least 150 words in length.

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.

      One example of a legal issue associated with clinical psychology is confidentiality. A clinical psychologist is bound by law to keep the client’s privacy. Maintaining the patient’s confidentiality involves not discussing the individual’s treatment, disorders, and symptoms with anyone else, both psychology professionals or not, without the consent of the patient (Hogan, 2007). Also involved in this matter is the psychologist’s ability to maintain the patient’s records in a secure place where they won’t be at risk of being stolen or copied by another individual.

     

      Another example of legal issue associated with clinical psychology is regarding the consent obtained by the psychologist from the patient, authorizing the professional to provide the treatment. If the patient is under aged or not mentally or physically unable to give the consent, a parent, legal guardian, or representative must do so (Hogan, 2007). Before initiating any kind of treatment or counseling, the therapist must be authorized to do so.

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.

There are many ethical issues associated with clinical psychology, and some of these issues may be considered subjective to interpretation, while others are very clear. One ethical concern constantly discussed is the therapist’s professional abilities and competence to properly treat the patient. In many cases, students fresh out of grad school believe they are prepared and ready to start counseling, but some cases are more complicated than others. A good clinical psychologists must know when he is ready to help a patient, and when it is more appropriate to recommend another professional do to so. It is important for the professional to know his personal limitations and continue to improve and learn.

Another ethical issue is the professional’s ability to treat every patient without prejudice and bias. In some cases, a therapist will have to treat someone with beliefs and attitudes very different than his own (as in the case of treating a murdered in prison, for example. The therapist must put his convictions aside and treat the patient as he would with any other individual.

3.     Define professional boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations. What effects do boundaries have on the therapeutic relationship?

Professional boundaries represent the psychological distinctions between what is considered appropriate behavior and what is not. They are important because they help the psychologist establish his personal space and the limits between his interactions with the client, while at the same time helping to focus the treatment on the patient only. Professional boundaries in clinical psychology define the limitations in the therapist/patient relationship (Plante, 2011). Boundary crossings can be considered a slight aggression towards the professional boundaries, which could happen accidentally or not.  Sometimes, if the therapist is reckless or inconsiderate, he can cross the line in his relationship with the client, but if the therapist puts his needs before the needs of the patient during treatment, or even if he confuses those needs, than that is a boundary violation. The repercussions of a boundary violation are more serious than the ones from a boundary crossing, and can cause serious harm to the therapist’s career.

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.

Cultural characteristics and traits should always be taken in consideration when offering professional counseling and treatment. Each culture has its own ideologies and specific beliefs, which can affect the patient’s response to treatment. One situation that must take in consideration cultural limitations is in the case of psychometric testing. Cultural context must be evaluated, as well as differences in language and possible translation mishaps, since all of these factors will most likely affect the results of the test (Plante, 2011). 

Another situation where it is crucial to consider and respect cultural differences is when treating or counseling individuals of minority groups, since their response to treatment will be different than that of majorities. Their individualities must be taken in consideration, since, as Plate (2011) explains, it is important for the therapist to develop an intervention strategy that is culturally appropriate and respectful. By expecting the patient to respond to stimuli the same way the therapist personally would, no real results can be achieved.