You Need to get Principled
Name four common exceptions to confidentiality that psychologists should discuss during informed consent.
Because of a mental disorder, Poo Bear is unable to provide for their basic needs of food, clothing, or shelter, requiring emergency psychiatric evaluation. What is this called?
What is grave disability?
Tell us more about this concept
Under California law, psychologists are mandated reporters when they have reasonable suspicion that this population has experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, isolation, or financial exploitation.
A. Dependent Adults
B. Older Adults
C. A & B
D. Emancipated minors
Who are elders (65 years or older) and dependent adults (ages 18–64 with qualifying physical or mental limitations)?
What is the difference between confidentiality and privilege?
Confidentiality is keeping client information private without disclosure to a third party, remaining within the client-therapist relationship.
Privilege is keeping client information private (held in confidence) during legal interactions.
When an elder or dependent adult is in immediate danger of serious bodily injury, a mandated reporter must make the report within this timeframe.
What is immediately, or as soon as practicably possible?
What is Beneficence and Nonmaleficence?
APA Ethical Principle requires psychologists to strive to do good while actively avoiding harm to their clients.
but how do you attain this?
In session, your client Fiona informs you that her previous therapist, Lord Farquaad, often disclosed personal information, asked for her advice, and often touched her arm or attempted to hug her. What should you do?
A. Do nothing, you can't report because you don't know the therapist
B. Inform the client these actions were unethical and report the former therapist to an ethics committee
C. Inform the client these actions were illegal and report the former therapist to a law agency
D. Do Nothing, a report is not mandated
D. Do nothing, a report is not mandated
In this case, the allegations are serious, are potentially illegal, but are definitely unethical. While ethical violations have occurred, if you make a report, you have violated the client's confidentiality. The best you can do is inform the client about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, and inform the client of their right to make a report.
Name the two reporting deadlines required under California CANRA.
common misconception is that one needs to investigate before reporting. Under CANRA, the clinician's responsibility is to recognize reasonable suspicion and report promptly; CPS and/or law enforcement are responsible for conducting the investigation.
This legal duty requires psychologists to take reasonable steps to protect an identifiable victim when a client makes a credible threat of serious violence.
What is the Tarasoff Duty to Protect?
According to California reporting requirements, name the three key actions a psychologist should take after developing reasonable suspicion of elder or dependent adult abuse.
A psychologist seeks supervision before managing a complex countertransference issue, maintains accurate documentation, and ensures the client's cultural identity is respected. This scenario demonstrates the application of these three APA Ethical Principles.
What are Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility), Principle C (Integrity), and Principle E (Respect for People's Rights and Dignity)?
A psychologist discovers that a thier new client, Prince Philliph is also the coach of their child's soccer team, the Dragon Squad. Before deciding whether treatment should continue, the psychologist should consider what?
Multiple (dual) relationships
consultation
documentation
consider possible conflicts
Under CANRA, mandated reporters are responsible for making the report themselves. They cannot satisfy their legal obligation by simply informing this person.
Who is a supervisor (or another staff member)?
Merida, an adolescent at RTC gives you a handmade bracelet. What would you do?
A. Accept it.
B. Decline it.
C. Accept it, document the rationale, and process the meaning with the client.
D. Consult your supervisor and consider agency policy before deciding.
D. Take into account:
If the suspected abuse does not involve immediate danger, California law generally requires the report to be made within this number of working days.
What is two working days?
Dual Relationships are:
1. Sometimes Allowed
2. Not allowed
3. Are contingent on a 2 year gap in therapy relationship
4. Are inherently unethical and you will lose your license, been in a ton of debt with a degree that is useless, and your dog will run away
1. Sometimes allowed- under the conditions that it is unethical when the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness, is impaired or risk exploitation or harm to the client
What is the court case that extended Tarosoff and what does it apply too?
What is reasonable suspicion?
This is the legal threshold required for psychologists to make a mandated report of suspected abuse or neglect. It does not require proof, certainty, or conducting an investigation
A long-term client, Eeyore, gives his psychologist, Sue Storm, an expensive gift at the end of treatment.
What should the Sue do?
A. Accept it as a sign of progress
B. Decline or carefully evaluate appropriateness
C. Accept but document it
D. Refuse all gifts without exception
Decline or carefully evaluate appropriateness
Gifts are evaluated based on:
Under California law, psychologists are mandated reporters when they have reasonable suspicion of abuse involving an elder or dependent adult. Name at least six reportable categories of abuse.
Your adult client, Darth Vader presents you with a $500 necklace to thank you for your care. Which APA Ethical Principle is most directly implicated because accepting the gift could impair objectivity, create boundary issues, and undermine professional trust?
What is Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility?
Name at least six of the nine common exceptions to confidentiality encountered by psychologists practicing in California.
In the absence of "superseding guidelines" to maintain records (law not established), what standard does APA hold therapists accountable for maintaining records for adults and children?
Adults: 7years from the last date of service
Children: Either 7 years or three years after the minor reaches the "age of majority," whichever comes later.
Dr. Lonestar shares the same denomination as his client, Princess Vespa, struggling with grief. Dr. Lonestar assumes Princess Vespa wants the same religious practices and gives advice based on shared beliefs, rather than exploring Vespa's own spiritual perspective. What are the issues here?
Counter Transference: Overidentification → assumes similarity instead of asking about client’s needs. Potential Ethical, but not legal, violation.
Risk: client feels misunderstood if personal spiritual experience differs.
Correct Response:
Ask open-ended questions about client’s beliefs and practices.
Avoid assuming shared beliefs.
Provide client-centered support, respecting differences even within the same religion.
Dr. Crush runs a professional mental health Instagram page. His client Nemo, follows the account and comments frequently.
What should the Dr. Crush do?
A. Address boundaries and confidentiality in session
B. Ignore the situation
C. Block the client
D. Respond to comments professionally on the site
A. Address boundaries and confidentiality in session
Not necessarily unethical—but must process clinically and protect boundaries.