Case Studies that fall in standard of Resolving
ethical issues, Competence, Human Relations,
Privacy and Confidentiality.
By Malaika Atta
PSY120192020
Introduction
Ethical Standards:
Set of principles established by APA
Provides a framework for psychologists.
Resolving Ethical Issues:
When psychologists believe that there may have been
an ethical violation by another psychologist, they
attempt to resolve the issue by bringing it to the
attention of that individual.
Continue…
Competence:
the ability to exert control over one's life, to cope with specific
problems effectively
Human Relations:
A study of human problems arising from organizational and
interpersonal relations.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Privacy and Confidentiality is a part of
the ethical guidelines of psychologists and means that
information between a patient and a therapist cannot be shared
with anyone.
Resolving Ethical Issues Case Study
Case#1:
Dr Smith is a member to conduct research on Tai Chi
School and panic disorders. Founder of Tai chi school
is an old family friend. Few weeks later without dr
Smith’s knowledge , school advertised “Stress
Buster” Seminars that promised to cure number of
conditions, including panic disorders. Participation of
dr Smith was clearly cited in the advertisement.
Continue…
Both dr Smith and Contract department noticed that
document did not include the clause that dr Smith or
university had to review and approve any ad released
by the Tai Chi School. Medications for panic , then
harm may come to the person through a panic attack.
Taking steps to correct such a misunderstanding may
prevent the harm caused by the mistaken belief that
Tai Chi replaces medications.
Continue…
Analysis: Ad released by Tai Chi School clearly
misrepresents Dr Smith’s work since Tai Chi can not
cure panic attacks. Dr Smith need to take action to
prevent the problem, this case falls in the Resolving
Ethical Issues, 1.01 i.e standard of Misuse of
Psychologists work.
Continue…
Case#2
William is a psychology intern in a minimum security
prison, He has been treating Barbara for about 6 months.
Her presenting problem for treatment was trust related,
Barbara told William how she likes her work but she
dislikes the fellow who abused dogs.
Barbara wanted William to help her but was afraid of
being exposed hence did not want William to tell anyone
that she was the one who told him about the situation.
Continue…
William’s Supervisor said prison policy requires
immediate identification and a report of anyone who
abuses the animals in canine training programe.
Analysis: Employees have a duty to uphold the policy
and procedures of the employing organization, at the
same time psychologists are bound to maintain
confidentiality of their clients.
Competence
Case#1
Therapist had practiced individual psychoanalysis for
ten years. After completion of a four hour continuing
education workshop on family therapy, she offered
family therapy sessions to some clients while reading
books in this field in her spare time.
Analysis: The first case reveals a counselor lacking in
minimum competence levels, training and experience.
Continue…
Her efficacy would only come into question if a formal
complaint was filed, nonetheless therapist have an ethical
responsibility to practice in specialty areas that are new
to them only after obtaining suitable education, training.
Case#2
Counselor continued treating his child clients with long
term psychotherapy for secondary reactive enuresis
despite significant evidence that certain behavioral
treatments are very effective in a brief time.
Continue…
When confronted with this information, he seemed
surprised and then researched the professional literature.
Analysis: Therapist is offering below standard treatment
resulting from failure to keep up to date with advancements
in the field. The practitioner was completely unaware about
but at least interested in updating his knowledge base; even
if the new technique poses professional concerns from this
counselor view, he has the ethical responsibility to inform.
Human Relations
Case#1
It has been reported that counselor’s have a long history of
problems with multiple relationship with clients. A 30 year
old Psychologist in Denmark treated his own family
members which included his sister and uncle.
Analysis: This case falls in standard of Human Relations,
3.05 i.e Multiple Relations. It is always problematic to have
multiple relationship with the client because we have close
feelings for them which acts as a barrier in the treatment.
Continue…
Case#2
98% people in West reported that therapist-client sexual
contact is always inappropriate and usually harmful to
the client’s mental health. 43.6% people reported that
they were sexually abused by the psychologist.
Analysis: This case falls in the standard of Human
Relations, 3.02 i.e Sexual Harassment. Sexually
misbehaving with the client is considered violation of
ethical principles.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Case#1
Client suspected that psychologist sent copies of his case notes
to the insurance carrier responsible for refund and that therapist
should not have revealed this information. Client reported to the
APA Ethics Committee for violating confidentiality. Psychologist
explained to Ethics Committee that any client understands that
their confidentiality may be breached when using an insurance
company for third party reimbursement due to admininstrative
and professional peer review. Nonetheless, psychologist never
informed client of this risk before therapy began.
Continue…
Analysis: The ethics committee determined that
psychologist violated the confidentiality ethical
standard by not informing client of the limits of
confidentiality prior to treatment. It falls in the
standard of Privacy and Confidentiality , 4.05 i.e
disclosure.
Continue…
Case#1
Therapist sent a third billing notice to a slow to pay
client’s fax machine in her office but client did not
report to work that day. The bill was titled
“Psychological Services Rendered” and handwritten
in large print was “THIRD NOTICE-OVERDUE” with
client’s name. This notice sat in an open access mail
tray of the busy office all day.
Continue…
Analysis: Private material should not be faxed unless
it is known that the intended recipient will be
receiving the information. This case falls in the
standard of Privacy and Confidentiality, 4.02 Ii.e
Discussing the limits of confidentiality.
