Legal Aspects of Professional Psychology
Legal Aspects of Professional Psychology George T. Jackson, University of Phoenix Psych 545 Survey of Professional Psychology Dr. Christi Moore, Facilitator
Legal Aspects of Professional Psychology There are many areas of professional psychology that are protected, and governed by legal aspects. It is these legal aspects that help to keep every psychologist/therapist working on an honest and even plane, as he or she can provider each client the courtesy, respect, safety, and well being which he or she deserves and expects when entering a professional relationship with a highly qualified, licensed psychologist. This paper will explore the legal aspects of professional psychology and the individuals which are affected by them. To complete this assignment there are various aspects will be discussed, and they are: analyze the legal issues relating to informed consent and refusal, evaluation of the legal issues that are associated with assessments, testing, and diagnosis in professional psychology, explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship, evaluate the influence of legislation on professional psychology, and finally explain the role of competence in professional psychology. Legal Issues and Informed Consent Informed consent is an essential part of the treatment process in psychology. Legally it protects both the psychologist and the individual who will be receiving professional services. According to Pope and Vasquez (2007), informed consent provides the client and the therapist the opportunity to understand his or her legal rights and that they each have an equal vested interest in the treatment process. Pope and Vasquez (2007) also stated that informed consent is a decision making-process that gives the client the
Legal Aspects of Professional Psychology There are many areas of professional psychology that are protected, and governed by legal aspects. It is these legal aspects that help to keep every psychologist/therapist working on an honest and even plane, as he or she can provider each client the courtesy, respect, safety, and well being which he or she deserves and expects when entering a professional relationship with a highly qualified, licensed psychologist. This paper will explore the legal aspects of professional psychology and the individuals which are affected by them. To complete this assignment there are various aspects will be discussed, and they are: analyze the legal issues relating to informed consent and refusal, evaluation of the legal issues that are associated with assessments, testing, and diagnosis in professional psychology, explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship, evaluate the influence of legislation on professional psychology, and finally explain the role of competence in professional psychology. Legal Issues and Informed Consent Informed consent is an essential part of the treatment process in psychology. Legally it protects both the psychologist and the individual who will be receiving professional services. According to Pope and Vasquez (2007), informed consent provides the client and the therapist the opportunity to understand his or her legal rights and that they each have an equal vested interest in the treatment process. Pope and Vasquez (2007) also stated that informed consent is a decision making-process that gives the client the
References: American Psychological Association (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct: Retrieved June 10, 2010, from: Http://www.apa.org. A Guide to psychology and its practice (2011). Retrieved June 10, 2011 from: Http://www.guideto/testingpsychology.com. Pope, K. S., Vasquez, M.J.T. , (2007). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass/Wiley. Schultz, L.R.G., (2009). Confidentiality, privilege, and child abuse reporting. Volume 2, 1990. Retrieved June 10, 2011 from: Http://www.ipf-forensics.com/journal/volume2-1990.