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Practice of Clinical Psychology

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What are at least two legal issues associated with clinical psychology? Provide an example of a situation that could be legal but unethical.

Confidentially is an issue that involves the codes of both ethics and legality. Maintaining confidentiality is a significant issue in clinical psychology, and one by which the psychologist is bound by law as well as the ethical codes. These laws require the psychologist to refrain from referring to a patient's treatment or results of assessment outside of the appropriate context (Hogan, 2007). Furthermore, regarding confidentiality in record keeping, psychologists must maintain records efficiently, securely, and effectively so results are not prone to dissemination by other inappropriate parties. The psychologist does; however, have the responsibility to waive confidentiality when he or she suspects harm to self (Hogan, 2007).

Another legal issue is obtaining written informed consent before counseling, consulting, or providing any type of treatment. If the patient is incapable of giving such consent, a parent, legal guardian, or other individual functioning in an official capacity must do so. Patients can revoke informed consent at any time during treatment, in most cases. Furthermore, issues involved in obtaining such consent must be provided to the client is understandable terms.

Participating in a sexual relationship with a client is one example of behavior, not considered illegal (in most states) although definitely unethical. According to Plante (2011), dual relationships are common ethical violations. Even if it were legal, it is neither fair to a client/patient nor is it conducive to maintaining healthy, appropriate, and uncompromising boundaries for both the client and the psychologist. Plante (2011) claims "clinical psychologists...are entrusted with the emotional and often physical vulnerabilities,

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