Definitions
This term generally refers to a minor.
What is a child?
Ramona needs to be given a particular assessment. Ramona's family asks the school psychologist if he can conduct the assessment. Ramona's school psychologist is not familiar with the particular assessment the family needs, so he connects the family with a colleague who he knows is well-trained in the assessment. Ethical or unethical practice?
Ethical practice!
The school psychologist recognized the strengths and limitations of his training (Principle 2).
Promotion of healthy schools, families, and communities?
What is Principle 4?
Interventions implemented by school psychologists must be research- and evidence-based. True or false?
TRUE
According to Principle 2, the interventions, counseling, and therapy utilized by school psychologists should be research- and evidence-based practice.
This term refers to the person or persons with whom the school psychologist establishes a professional relationship for the purpose of providing school psychological services.
What is a Client?
David meets with his school psychologist weekly for counseling. This week, when David arrives for his session, another student is seated in the corner of the psychologist's office doing school work with headphones in. This other student had a difficult morning and is not yet regulated enough to return to class. The school psychologist proceeds with David's session as planned since the other student is wearing headphones and needs a comforting place to regulate. Ethical or unethical practice?
Unethical practice!
Privacy and confidentiality with minimal intrusions must be maintained (Principle 1). The school psychologist should find an alternative location for the other student or a private location to conduct David's counseling session.
School psychologists are faithful and true and adhere to professional commitments.
What is Principle 3?
A school psychologist can review student files on their computer while working in a coffee shop. True or false?
FALSE
School psychologists must maintain the privacy of records.
Making an informed decision and having a clear understanding of what it is you are agreeing to. Agreement to participate in services is freely given and may be withdrawn without prejudice.
What is informed consent?
Matthew is a student who receives counseling with his school psychologist, Dr. Smith, per his IEP. Matthew's mother wants Matthew to receive additional counseling services. Dr. Smith advises Matthew's mother to pursue a change in Matthew's IEP that would include more in-school counseling. Matthew's mom asks Dr. Smith if he can see Matthew for additional counseling sessions while she goes through the IEP process. Dr. Smith suggests he and Matthew meet for additional sessions after school hours at his private practice until the IEP is amended. Dr. Smith bills Matthew's insurance for the additional sessions. Ethical or unethical practice?
Unethical practice!
School psychologists should not provide services for a fee that individuals are eligible for within school, and should avoid multiple relationships (Principle 3). Dr. Smith could assist Matthew in finding a different therapist outside of school, or find time in his schedule for additional sessions with Matthew during school hours.
School psychologists provide services that they are qualified and competent to provide.
What is Principle 2?
School psychologists do not need to prioritize and promote DEI initiatives and values. True or false?
FALSE
According to Principle 1, school psychologists must maintain awareness and knowledge regarding diversity, and must promote fairness, justice, and equity.
School psychological services that are provided under the authority of a state, regional, or local educational agency.
What is school-based practice?
Dr. Mina and Dr. Tim work together in a middle school and share an office. On a particularly busy afternoon, Dr. Tim is called to deal with a student in crisis. Dr. Tim quickly gathers some materials and goes to leave the office. Dr. Mina notices Dr. Tim has left out some student files that include sensitive information. Dr. Mina alerts Dr. Tim to this before he leaves the office. Dr. Tim thanks Dr. Mina for letting him know, explaining that in his rush he had not realized the files were there. Dr. Tim puts the files away in the locked cabinet where they are kept before exiting the office. Ethical or unethical practice?
Ethical practice (with a close call)!
There could have been a privacy breach (Principle 2) had Dr. Tim's files remained exposed on the desk, but Dr. Mina helped avoid this with supportive peer monitoring (Principle 4).
School psychologists maintain the dignity of all with whom they work. (Consent and Assent)
What is Principle 1?
School psychologists employed in a school cannot have a private practice. True or false?
FALSE
School psychologists working in schools can have a private practice. Principle 3 specifies that school psychologists must not conduct private practice within school hours, and cannot provide services for a fee that individuals are eligible to receive within the school.
A minor's affirmative agreement to participate in psychological services or research.
What is assent?
Mandy's son, Lucas, has been displaying some emotion regulation difficulties and disruptive behavior both at home and at school. Lucas' school counselor suggested Lucas be seen by a therapist. Mandy is also interested in getting him assessed. Mandy's sister, Dr. Ron, is a school psychologist, so she asks him how she should proceed in getting Lucas services. Dr. Ron says he can assess Lucas, and will connect Mandy to a colleague who can see Lucas for therapy. Dr. Ron administers an assessment to Lucas and provides the assessment report to Lucas' parents and new therapist. Ethical or unethical practice?
Unethical practice!
Although Dr. Ron rightly referred Lucas to another person for therapy, he administered an assessment to Lucas. It is a conflict of interest and a multiple relationship/role for Dr. Ron to administer the assessment to Lucas since he is Lucas' uncle. Dr. Ron could have helped Mandy find another psychologist to assess Lucas.
This principle addresses the responsible use of materials.
What is Principle 2?
You do not need to seek parental consent before providing services to individual students. The student's assent is adequate. True or false?
FALSE
Both parental consent and student assent are required before providing services to students.