Abnormal Psych Ch. 19 Law and Ethics

What is a law?

A set of rules that regulate the actions of the community

What is an ethic?

A set of principles and standards that should beheld to the highest regard.

What are the qualifications to be a licensed psychologist in California?

1. Must have a doctorate in psychology

2. Must complete specific coursework related to substance abuse, human sexuality, child abuse, spouse or partner abuse, and Aging and Long-Term Care

3. The individual must have supervised professional experience which consists of at least 1500 hours pre-doctorate and at least1500 hours post doctorate (3,000 total hours).

4. The individual must also pass two written exams required by theBoard of Psychology

.- Exam for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLEE) Without meeting the above requirements it is unethical to call yourself a psychologist.

What happens when a psychologist is lacking competence?

Must gain the appropriate education, training or experience, seek supervision or consultation, or make a referral whenever a service falls outside the boundaries of their competence

What is confidentiality?

refers to the obligation of psychologists to protect clientsfrom unauthorized disclosure of information revealed in the context of the professional relationship. It is an ethical obligation and they were legal requirement.

What are the circumstances that a psychologist would release their patient's info without the client's consent?

Medical emergency

If the client is suicidal/homicidal

Child, dependent, or elder abuse

Ordered to give info to court or testify

Patriot Act of 2001 (FBI can request)

May disclose confidential info with the consent of a client or an auth. person on behalf of the client

Define informed consent

client must have the capacity, comprehension, and voluntariness to give their consent for the services provided by the psychologist

What is a 72 hour hold?

When any person as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to themselves, danger to others, or is gravely disabled they will be taken into custody and placed in a facility designated by the county for 72-hour treatment and evaluation

What does gravely disabled mean?

an individual due to a mental disorder or chronic alcoholism is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter. This does not include mentally retarded persons by reason of being mentally retarded alone

Initial 14 day hold

This hold permits a person who has been detained for 72 hours and received an evaluation to be certified for up to 14 additional days for intensive treatment related to a mental disorder or chronic alcoholism which as a result the person is a danger to self or others or is gravely disabled.

Post certification Holds (Holds following the initial 14-day hold)

When the patient who has been detained involuntary on a 72-hour hold and a 14 day hold still remains a danger to self, danger to others, or is still gravely disabled, a number of post certification holds are available.

2nd day 14 day hold

After the first 14-day hold (5250), a patient who continues to present an imminent threat of suicide may be confined for an additional 14days. This hold is not renewable.

180-day Hold

After the first 14-day hold (5250), a patient who continues to present an imminent threat of danger to others may be confined for up to 180 additional days. This hold is renewable.

30-day Hold

After the first 14-day hold (5250), a patient who remains gravely disabled may be held for an additional 30 days. At the end of the 30-day hold they may not be involuntarily confined any longer unless a petition for conservatorship (getting power of attorney) has been filed during the hold.

Patients That Are a Danger to Others

Client communicates that they want to commit a serious threat of physical violence against an reasonably identifiable individual. Psychotherapist should communicate these threats to law enforcement. If the psychotherapist doesn't, there are potential civil liabilities.

The Tarasoff decision

gave psychologist's immunity for breaking confidentiality (only about the threat; not other things discussed in therapy) when a patient communicates a "serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim or victims." (The psychologist must be able to specifically identify the victim that will bethe victim of serious bodily injury)

The Ewing decision

Ewing v. Goldstein expanded the meaning of a patient communication to include Communications from the patients "immediate family members." Therefore communication from a patient's family member allows the therapist the duty to protect.

What are mandated reporters?

are persons who, as a result of their profession, are more likely to be aware of abuse or neglect of persons with disabilities. Mandated reporters are required by law to report reasonable suspicions of abuse.

Define elder

over 65

What is a dependent adult?

an adult between the ages of 18-64 who has physical or mental limitations thatrestrict them from carrying out their daily activities or toprotect their rights

Define general neglect

refers to the caretaker to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or supervision. No physical injury to the child has occurred.

Define severe neglect

refers to negligent failure of the caretaker to protect the child from severe malnutrition and the caretaker willfully causing or permitting the health of the child to be endangered including intentional failure to provide adequate food clothing shelter or medical care. Through the course of this the child may experience being physically injured.

What are the different types of dependent and elderly abuse?

physical abuse ,abandonment, abduction, isolation, neglect (including self neglect), and financial abuse