PAP Code of Ethics and Mental Health Law Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the Philippine Association of Psychologists (PAP) Code of Ethics principles, associated Republic Acts, and professional standards for practice.

Philosophy (Ethics)

A philosophical branch that studies human conduct specific to individual’s behavior in society and the systems of morality.

Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists and Psychometricians

General guidelines and principles for psychology professionals in the Philippines with versions released in $1989$, $2009$, and $2022$.

RA10029

The Philippine Psychology Act which guided the $2009$ Code of Ethical Principles to establish a universal code for all practicing psychology professionals.

RA10912

The Continuing Professional Development Act of $2016$, which aligns with the $2022$ Code of Ethics update.

RA11036

The Philippine Mental Health Act of $2018$ which focuses on the rights of clients, families, and MH professionals, and the establishment of mental health facilities.

2022 PAP Code of Ethics Update

The latest version of the code that added specific guidelines for Telepsychology and Research in Psychology, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Principle I: Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples

A universal guideline recognizing the worth of all human beings regardless of social status, ethnic origin, gender, or capacities, emphasizing confidentiality and fairness.

Principle II: Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Persons and Peoples

The responsibility to provide appropriate care and minimize any type of harm while knowing the potential impact of personal beliefs and maintaining competence.

Principle III: Integrity

The principle of honesty, truth, and accurate communications in all professional areas, including controlling potential biases and avoiding exploitation.

Principle IV: Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society

The guideline to utilize reliable and valid scientific resources and methods while communicating only established and valid information for the development of the profession.

Multiple Relationships

A situation where a practitioner is in a professional role with a person while simultaneously being in another role with them or someone closely associated with them.

Informed Consent

A standard practice ensuring clients or legal authorized persons understand the purpose, process, risks, confidentiality, and fees before conducting services.

Confidentiality Disclosures

Exceptions where private information is shared, such as when ordered by a court, immediate emergency cases, minor clients, or protection from harm.

Teleassessment

Procedures described as being as good as in-person procedures provided they are adequately conducted by a qualified professional.

Test Security

The standard ensuring assessment tools are only taken by qualified users and results are released in non-technical language to concerned individuals.

Philippine Council for Mental Health

An entity established by the MH Law for policy making and coordination with appropriate agencies to integrate mental health into the educational system.

General Ethical Standards and Procedures

1. Resolving Ethical Issues

2. Competencies

3. Human Relations

4. Confidentiality

5. Advertisements and Public Statements

6. Records and Fees

7. Assessment

8. Therapy

9. Education and Training

10. Research

1st General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Resolving Ethical Issues

2nd General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Competencies

3rd General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Human Relations

4th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Confidentiality

5th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Advertisements and Public Statements

6th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Records and Fees

7th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Assessment

8th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Therapy

9th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Education and Training

10th General Ethical Standard and Procedure

Research

I. Resolving Ethical Issues

Provides information about what psychologists should do to resolve ethical situations they may encounter in their work. This includes advice for what researchers should do when their work is misrepresented and when to report ethical violations.

II. Competencies

Psychologists must practice within their areas of expertise. When treating clients or working with the public, psychologists must make clear what they are and are not trained to do.

This standard stipulates that in an emergency situation, professionals may provide services even if it falls outside the scope of their practice in order to ensure that access to services is provided.

III. Human Relations

No discrimination in any form across any gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, etc; No harrassment in any form (e.g. Sexual harassment, using one’s authority to demand, etc.)

IV. Confidentiality

This standard outlines psychologists’ responsibilities in maintaining patient confidentiality.6 Psychologists are obligated to take reasonable precautions to keep client information private.

However, the APA also notes that there are limitations to confidentiality. Sometimes psychologists need to disclose information about their patients in order to consult with other mental health professionals, for example.

VII. Assessment

Psychologists should obtain informed consent before administering assessments. Assessments should be used to support a psychologist’s professional opinion, but psychologists should also understand the limitations of these tools.