CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEWER • It is an extremely broad discipline with wide reach

WEEK 1: Introduction to Clinical Psychology and great impact to society and humanity.
• Psychologists study the intersection of two
Clinical Psychologist critical relationships:
• A person whose work with others involved a. brain function and behavior
aspects of treatment, education, and b. environment and behavior
interpersonal issues.
The Practice of Psychology
Lightner Witmer • Republic Act 10029 was enacted into law to
• Clinical psychology was first used in 1907. regulate the practice of Psychology in the
• He was the first to operate a psychological clinic. Philippines. Under the law, Practice of
• His first clients were children with behavioral or Psychology is defined as the delivery of
educational problems. psychological services that involve the
• He foresaw clinical psychology as applicable to application of psychological principles and
people of all ages and with a variety of presenting procedures for the purpose of describing,
problems. understanding, predicting and influencing the
behavior of individuals or groups, to assist in the
Definitions of Clinical Psychology attainment of optimal human growth and
functioning.
• APA: The field of Clinical Psychology integrates
science, theory, and practice to understand,
The delivery of psychological services includes, but
predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability,
not limited to:
and discomfort as well as to promote adaptation,
adjustment, and personal development. • Psychological Interventions:
- Psychological counseling
• It involves rigorous study and applied practice
- Psychotherapy
directed toward understanding and improving the
- Psychosocial support
psychological facets of the human experience,
- Life coaching
including but not limited to issues or problems of
- Psychological debriefing
behavior, emotions, or intellect.
- Group processes
- Other psychological interventions
Education and Training in Clinical Psychology
• An aspiring clinical psychologist must obtain a
Psychological Assessment: gathering and integration of
doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
psychology-related data for the purpose of (a) making a
• Most students enter a doctoral program with only
psychological evaluation accomplished through a variety
a bachelor's degree, but some enter with a
of tools including:
master’s degree.
o Individual tests
• Some graduates of such master’s programs go on
o Projective tests
to earn doctoral degree, while others enter the
o Clinical interviews
work force in some capacity.
• For those entering with a bachelor’s degree, Assessing diverse psychological functions including:
training typically consists of at least 4 years of o Cognitive abilities
intensive, full-time coursework, followed by a o Aptitudes
1-year, full-time predoctoral internship. o Personality characteristics
o Attitudes
The Discipline of Psychology
o Values
• Study of behavior and mental processes, involves o Interests
the application of scientific methods to inquire o Emotions
into the biological, cognitive, affective, o Motivations
developmental, personality, social, cultural, and In support of psychological counseling,
individual difference dimensions of human psychotherapy and other psychological
behavior. interventions.
Psychological Programs: Clinical Supervision:
o Development • The direction, guidance, mentoring, and
o Planning cliniquing of psychology practitioners and intern;
o Implementation psychometricians and other trainees for
o Monitoring psychology-related work to meet the standards of
o Evaluation of psychological treatment programs quality and excellence in professional practice.
o Other psychological intervention programs for
individuals and/or groups. Practice of psychology in the Philippines covers such
areas:
Other psychological interventions: o Clinical psychology
• Preventive and therapeutic measures: o Counseling psychology
- Play and expressive arts therapy o Assessment psychology
- Music therapy and trauma healing o Social psychology
- Correctional, rehabilitative and behavioral o Developmental psychology
modification measures. o Cognitive psychology
o Industrial/organizational psychology
Consultation:
o Mental and behavioral concerns Psychologists work in a range of settings including:
o Emotional distress o Schools
o Personality disorders o Hospitals
o Other neuropsychological dysfunctions o Industry
o Psychological evaluation o Social service agencies
o Diagnostic interpretations o Rehabilitation facilities and correctional facilities
o Reports o Private practice
o Recos, as part of a case study or in support of Regardless, they must be competent in
diagnostic screening. formulating and communicating a psychological
o Placement diagnosis.
o Management/administrative decisions
o Psychiatric evaluation Psychometrician: All the assessment reports prepared
o Legal action and done by the psychometrician, shall always bear the
o Psychological counseling signature of the supervising psychologist who shall take
o Psychotherapy full responsibility for the integrity of the report.
o Change intervention • Clientele can include those with:
- Psychological and emotional difficulties
Assessing diverse psychological functions: - Academic and behavioral difficulties
o Development - Victims of abuse and calamities:
o Standardization - Psychological evaluation for work purposes,
o Publication of psychological tests which measure - Marital nullification
adjustment and psychopathology - Child custody
o Creation of assessment tools primarily for Those in organizations that need to improve
psycho-diagnostic purposes. human relations and behavior among
personnel, and many others.
Other psychological intervention programs:
o Addiction rehabilitation and treatment programs. Professional Activities and Employment Settings
o Behavioral management and intervention Where Do Clinical Psychologists Work?
programs in correctional facilities. o Private practice
o Psychological training programs which involve o Academician
inner processing; and mental health programs in o Government agencies, public schools,
disaster and emergency situations, either for substance abuse centers, corporation, and
individuals and/or communities. university counseling center
 o Other settings: psychiatric hospitals, general - They saw many problems as products of
hospitals, community mental health centers. many social ills.
o Medical schools, Veterans affairs medical - Conducts fieldwork
centers - They focused on issues such as arranging for
the client's transition to the community and
What do Clinical Psychologists Do? make sure that the needs are in place
o Psychotherapy - Helped clients by connecting them with
o Diagnosis/Assessment social services
o Teaching - Typically earn master's degree rather than a
o Supervision doctorate
o Research/Writing
o Consultation • School psychologists
o Administration - Usually work in schools, but some may work
in day-care centers or correctional facilities.
Closely Related Mental Health Professionals - They function to enhance the intellectual,
• Clinical psychologists emotional social and developmental lives of
- Are likely to work with seriously disturbed students.
individuals. - Conduct psychological testing used to
- Work more often in hospitals and inpatient determine diagnoses such as learning
psychiatric units. disabilities and emotional needs of students.
- Tend to endorse behaviorism strongly. - Consult with adults involved in student's
- Tend to be more interested in applications of lives.
psychology to medical settings. are trained to
appreciate the biological aspects of their • Professional Counselors
client's problems. - Earn a master's degree and often complete
- View client's problems as behavioral, training within 2 years.
cognitive, emotional but amenable to change - Attend graduate programs in counseling or
via nonpharmacological methods. professional counseling.
- Their work generally involves counseling, with
• Counseling psychologists little emphasis on psychological testing or
- Likely to work with less pathological clients. research.
- Work more often in university counseling - They specialize in career, school, addiction,
centers couple/family, or college counseling.
- Tend to endorse humanistic/client-centered
approaches more strongly. WEEK 2: Current Controversies in Clinical Psychology
- Tend to be interested in vocational testing and
career counseling. Prescription Privileges
• Movements who pursue this privilege has its
• Psychiatrists roots in the 1980s or before, but in the 1990s and
- Go to medical school and are licensed 2000s, it rose to the level of a high-profile, high-
physicians. stakes debate.
- Emphasizes biology to such an extent that • New Mexico and Louisiana were granted
disorders are viewed as physiological prescription privileges to appropriately trained
abnormalities of the brain. psychologists in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
- Prescribes medication
Why Should Clinical Psychologists Prescribe?
• Social workers • Shortage of psychiatrists:
- Focused their work on the interaction - In some rural areas, there is low ratio of
between an individual and the components of professionals with the training and ability to
society that may contribute to or alleviate the prescribe medication.
individual's problems.
 • Clinical psychologists are more expert than • Identity confusion:
primary care physicians: - Until all active psychologists prescribe,
- Clinical psychologists are experts in mental identity crisis could emerge within the
health problems; hence they could be better profession.
able to diagnose problems correctly and
select effective medications. • Potential influence of the pharmaceutical
industry:
• Other non-physician professionals already - If psychologists prescribe, they will inevitably
have prescription privileges: find themselves targeted by pharmaceutical
- Sets a precedent for specially trained clinical industry.
psychologists to do the same.
Evidenced-Based Treatments/Manualized Therapy
• Convenience for clients: • The movement in favor of this has intensified in
- Treatment is streamlined, saving both time the 1990s and 2000s.
and money. Risk of the problems due to • Researchers sought to answer questions about
miscommunication is eliminated. the benefits of psychotherapy.
• Hans Eysenck's statement sparked much
• Professional autonomy: research on the topic and carry wave of research
- Clinical psychologists can feel capable of proved Eysenck wrong.
independently providing a wider range of
services to their clients. • Target question:
- Does therapy work?
• Professional identification: - Which forms of therapy work best for which
- Ability to prescribe sets psychologists apart disorders?
from nonprescribing therapists, counselors, • The practice of clinical psychology based on
social workers, etc. empirical research evidence in combination with
clinical expertise and client characteristics,
• Evolution of the profession: culture and preferences.
- Embracing prescription privileges is seen as
the next logical step in the progression. Manualized Therapy
• These are forms of psychotherapy that follow a
• Revenue for the profession: therapy manual, which provides detailed
- Increased income may offset some of the instructions for all phases of the treatment of a
salary decreases reported by psychologists, specific disorder, typically used in outcome
including those occurring as a result of the studies supporting evidenced-based treatments.
impact of managed care.
Advantages of Evidenced-Based Treatments
Why Clinical Psychologists should NOT Prescribe: /Manualized Therapy
• Training issues: • Scientific legitimacy:
- Comprehensive understanding of everything - Empirical approach = beneficial and
is involved in a prescription decision, hence uniformly practiced treatment.
something close to full-pledge medical
training is essential; extended semesters, • Establishing minimal levels of competence:
lack of faculty with expertise to teach. - Psychologists will be obligated to follow, and
the public will receive a more consistent,
• Threats to psychotherapy: proven brand of treatment.
- Shift from an appreciation of biological,
cognitive or emotional processes to symptom • Training improvements:
reduction via pharmacology. - List of manualized, evidenced-based therapy
can be incorporated into graduate programs
 • Decreased reliance on clinical judgment: • The danger of DMS-5 ideology is that it extends
- Clinical judgment can be suscept ole to bias, the scope of mental disorder to a point where
thus, outcome is compromised; with almost anyone can be diagnosed with one.
evidenced-based techniques, outcome may • The more that psychiatric diagnoses appear to
be enhanced. encroach on the boundaries of normal behavior,
the more psychiatry opens itself to criticisms that
Disadvantages of Evidenced-Based Treatments there is no validity to the concept of mental
/Manualized Therapy disorders.
• Threats to psychotherapy relationship:
- Therapy manuals do not emphasize client- Consequences of Overdiagnosis
therapist relationship; they tend to • People can get treatment they don't need
emphasize technique. • It can affect a person's self-image via stigma
• It can affect the person's self-efficacy and overall
• Diagnostic complications: wellness.
- Therapy for clients with "clean" disorders may • It can influence how health insurance companies
not work on clients with more "messy" consider the person as a potential enrollee.
diagnostic features. • It can affect how a court of law views the person
in terms of a guilt regarding crime or suitability for
• Restrictions on practice: child custody.
- The movement suggested that the only
therapies worth practicing is those with New Disorders and New Definitions of Old Disorders
empirical support. • Practicing clinicians make diagnoses without
detailed consideration of the precise definition of
• Debatable criteria for empirical evidence: mental disorders and offer treatments whether or
- The criteria are biased in favor of more not a diagnosis has been made at all.
empirically oriented therapies (behavioral • Mental health professionals rely more on
and cognitive) and shut down therapies that professional experience, intuition and "gut
produce less easily quantifiable results feelings" than symptoms checklist to guide
(psychodynamic or humanistic). diagnostic decisions.

Overexpansion of Mental Disorders The Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry?

• The size and scope of the DSM has vastly • The more disorders there are, the more potential
increased since its inception in the 1950s. customers these companies have to target their
• The climb in mental disorder rates goes by many advertising toward.
names: • Pharmaceutical companies are pleased if those
- Overdiagnosis who write the DSM were on their payroll;
- Diagnostic expansion pharmaceutical industry is trying to "colonize"
- Diagnostic inflation psychiatry.
- Diagnostic creep
- Medicalization of everyday problems Payment Method
- False positives • Effect on therapy:
- False epidemics - Psychologists can control firsthand the
confidentiality of their own private files but
Criticism about Overdiagnosis of DSM-5 not the clinical information that they have
• There has been no real epidemic of mental been required to share with the insurance
illness... the diagnostic labels have changed and company; self-pay is unaffordable option.
are too elastic; Problems that used to be an
expected and tolerated part of life are now • Effects on diagnosis:
diagnosed and treated as mental disorder. - Most health insurance and managed care
companies require a DSM diagnosis for
treatment.
The Influence of Technology WEEK 3: Cultural Issues in Clinical Psychology
• Applications:
- Interview through videoconferencing How important is the issue of cultural awareness to
- Email/chat clinical psychologists:
- Interactive internet site (for the public) • Multiculturalism as the Fourth Force
- Online psychotherapy programs - A defining issue of the current era of
- Virtual reality techniques psychology, represents the fourth force, but it
- Computer-based self-instructional programs does not aim to dethrone any of the first three
- Handheld electronic communication devices forces.
- Enhances and strengthens existing models by
How Well do Cybertherapy and other Applications of infusing them with sensitivity and awareness
Technology Work: of how they can be best applied to individuals
• Because cybertherapy and other applications of of various cultural backgrounds.
technology are recent developments, the amount
of data on their benefits to clients is quite small. Culture: Powerful force in the clinical and counseling
• Cybertherapy appears to work as well as more fields as it shapes the way the client understands the very
traditional, in-person forms of psychotherapy for problem for which he or she is seeking help.
a variety of disorders, e.g. CBT of anxiety
disorders was equally effective whether the Recent Professional Efforts to Emphasize Issues of
treatment was delivered in person or via Culture
computer. o Journals and books
o Emergence of APA / PAP divisions
Emerging Professional Issues o APA / PAP Ethical code
• As clinical psychologists embrace new o APA accreditation standards
technologies and incorporate them into their o DSM Efforts Toward Multiculturalism
practices, professional issues continue to arise. o Revisions of prominent assessment methods
• In response, the profession is making efforts to
ensure that the services provided are safe, Cultural Competence
effective and ethical. • Multicultural counseling competence
• The APA ethical code includes several updates - The counselor's acquisition of awareness,
designed to address the increasing use of knowledge and skills needed to function
technological tools. effectively in a pluralistic democratic society.
- On an organizational/societal level,
Suggestions for those who uses technology-based advocating effectively to develop new
practice theories, practices, policies and
• Obtain informed consent from clients organizational structures that are more
• Know and follow any applicable laws on responsive to all groups.
telehealth and telemedicine.
• Know and follow the most recent version of APA Components of Multicultural Competence
ethical code. • Cultural self-awareness
• Ensure the client a confidentiality by using - Come to understand that his or her viewpoint
encryption or similar methods. is (like everyone's) unique and idiosyncratic.
- Recognizes that differences between people
• Appreciate how issues of culture may be
are not necessarily deficiencies, especially if
involved.
the difference demonstrated by the client is
• Do not practice outside the scope of your
common or valued in his or her own cultural
expertise.
group.
• Be knowledgeable about emergency resources in
any community from which your clients may seek
services.
• Stay abreast of changes to the laws, ethical
codes, or technology relevant to your practice.
 • Knowledge of Diverse Cultures What Constitutes a Culture:
- Knowledge not only of the current lifestyle of Narrow vs. Broad definition
the members of the culture but also the • Narrow:
group's history especially regarding major - Ethnicity and race as the defining
social and political issues. characteristics
- Psychologist should aim to enter each
session with sufficient knowledge of the • Broad:
client's cultural background. - Any and all potentially salient ethnographic,
demographic, status, or affiliation identities.
• Culturally Appropriate Clinical Skills
- Develop appropriate strategies for • Ethnographic:
assessment and treatment - Culture demographic: race, sex and age.
- The approaches and techniques that a Affiliation identities: Family, interpersonal
psychologist uses to improve a client's life identity.
should be consistent with the values and life
experience of that client. What Constitutes a Culture?
• Interacting Cultural Variables
Are We All Alike or Different: - Cultural variables may interact in unique
Which cultural group do you belong and within this ways to shape the life experience of the
group what do you consider as your exception in their client.
cultural tendency? - Race and culture may be important to other
clients, but other variables might play
ETIC VS. EMIC Perspective significant roles as well.
• ETIC:
- Emphasizes the similarities between all Training Psychologists in Cultural Issues
people; assumes universality among all • Educational Alternatives:
people. - Graduate programs include courses to
address culture.
• EMIC: - Incorporate issues of culture in courses of
- Recognizes and emphasizes culture-specific psychotherapy, assessment and research.
norms; considers a client's behaviors, - Emphasize real-world experience with
thoughts, and feelings within the context of individuals of diverse cultures.
the client's own culture rather than imposing
norms of another culture onto the client. Critical Elements of Multiculturally Infused
Psychology Curriculum
Tripartite Model of Personal Identity • Explicitly state a commitment to diversity.
• Individual level: • Actively make an effort to recruit graduate
- The premise is "all individuals are like no students from diverse population.
other individuals". • Actively make an effort to recruit and retain a
diverse faculty.
• Group level: • Make efforts to make the admission process fair
- The premise is "all individuals are like some and equitable.
other individuals". • Ensure that students gain awareness of their on
cultural values and biases, knowledge of other
• Universal level: groups, and skills to work with diverse
- The premise is "all individuals are like all other populations.
individuals". • Examine all courses for an infusion of a culture-
centered approach throughout the curriculum.
• Evaluate students on their cultural competence
on a regular basis.
Measuring the Outcome of Culture-Based Training • Mindful of the fact that the Code can never
Efforts complete address all the possible emergent
• At the moment, measuring outcome-based ethical concerns, the PAP encourages all its
efforts is at a very early stage or empirical members to study the Code and make
investigation as researchers grapple with the suggestions for its continuous improvement.
issue. • Members who have suggestions for new
• There may be a gap between psychologists provisions or improvements and/or amendments
"practice" and what they "preach" regarding to the old provisions should submit these in
multicultural competence. writing, with supporting arguments and
• Efforts promoting multiculturalism are clearly explanations, to the PAP Board.
resulting in some needed improvements related • In the last quarter of 2020, a committee was
to clinical and research activities of clinical tasked to revise the Code of Ethics, in view of
psychologists. recent technological developments as well as the
implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on the
WEEK 4: Ethical Issues in Clinical Psychology practice of psychology.
• The final version was approved by the Board of
Brief History Trustees on their regular meeting on August 26,
American Psychological Association Code of Ethics 2022.
• 1955:
- APA published the first code of ethics; its Ethical Code Features
appearance corresponded with the rise of • General principles
professional psychology around that time - Are aspirational
period. - They describe an ideal level of ethical
- Since then, 9 revised editions of the ethical functioning or how psychologists should
code have been published. strive to conduct themselves
- Offer more broad descriptions of the
Psychological Association of the Philippines Code of exemplary ethical behavior.
Ethics
• 1980s: • Ethical standards
- PAP adopted a Code of Ethics for - Includes enforceable rules of conduct
Psychologists. - If the psychologist is found guilty of an ethical
violation, it is a standard (not a principle) that
• 2007: is violated.
- Board of Directors of the PAP resolved to - More specific than general principles.
constitute a committee to revise the code of
ethics, with the goal of updating the code and Ethical Principles
making it more inclusive and applicable to all APA PAP
psychologists. A. Beneficence and 1. Competent Caring for
Nonmaleficence the Well-being of
• April 18, 2009: Persons and Peoples
- First draft of the Code was presented to the “Psychologists strive
to benefit those with “Competent caring for
PAP Board of Directors.
who they work and the well-being of
take care to do no persons and peoples
• July 24, 2009: harm”. involves working for
- The revised PAP Code of Ethics was finally the benefit and, above
ratified by the PAP Board of Directors. all, doing no harm. It
includes maximizing
benefits, minimizing
potential harm, and
offsetting or
correcting harm.
B. Fidelity and 2. Professional and E. Respect for People’s 5. Respect for the
Responsibility Scientific Right and Dignity Dignity of Persons and
Responsibilities to Peoples
“Psychologists Society
establish relationship “Psychologists “Respect for the
of trust with those “Psychology respect the dignity dignity of persons is
with whom they work. functions as a and worth of the most fundamental
They are aware of their discipline within the individuals to privacy, and universally found
professional and context of human confidentiality and ethical principle
scientific society. As a science self-determination. across geographical
responsibilities to and a profession, it and cultural
society and to the has responsibilities to boundaries, and
specific communities society”. across professional
in which they work”. disciplines”.

C. Integrity 3. Integrity Ethical Principles

APA PAP
“Psychologists seek “Integrity is vital to the 1. Resolving Ethical 1. Resolving Ethical
to promote accuracy, advancement of Issues Issues
honesty, and scientific knowledge 2. Competence 2. Competencies
truthfulness in the and to the 3. Human Relations 3. Human Relations
science, teaching and maintenance of 4. Privacy and 4. Confidentiality
practice of public confidence in Confidentiality 5. Advertisements and
psychology”. the discipline of 5. Advertising and Other Public Statements
psychology. Integrity Public Statements 6. Records and Fees
is based on honesty, 6. Record Keeping and 7. Assessment
and on truthful, open Fees 8. Therapy
and accurate 7. Education and 9. Education and
communication”. Training Training
8. Research and 10. Research
D. Justice 4. Integrated in Principle Publication
1 Respect for the 9. Assessment
“Psychologists Dignity of Persons and 10. Therapy
recognize that Peoples
fairness and justice Ethical Decision Making
entitle all persons to “Fairness and justice • When any ethical issue arises, a clinical
access to and benefit in the treatment of
psychologist should be equipped with a process
from the persons and
by which to make the most ethical decision
contributions of peoples”.
psychology and to possible.
equal quality in the • The APA's ethical code does not offer any such
process, procedures, decision-making models per se, but such models
and services being have been recommended by a number of experts
conducted by in the field.
psychologists”.
Celia Fisher:
• Served as the chair of APA's Ethical Code Task
Force; in her book Decoding the Ethics Code, she
proposes an eight-step model for ethical
decision-making.
8-Step Model for Ethical Decision Making • Most of the 83 behaviors fell in the gray area
1. Prior to the ethical dilemma arising, make a between ethical and unethical, illustrating both
commitment to doing what is ethically the challenges that psychologists face in making
appropriate. wise judgments regarding ethical issues and the
2. Become familiar with APA/PAP ethical code. importance of a sound model of ethical decision
3. Consult any law or professional guidelines making.
relevant to the situation at hand.
4. Try to understand the perspectives of various Confidentiality
parties affected by the actions you may take. • The profession is entrusted by the public to
5. Consult with colleagues. provide professional services without sharing the
6. Generate and evaluate your alternatives. private, personal details offered in the process;
7. Select and implement the course of action that however, confidentiality is not absolute; issues.
seems most ethically appropriate.
8. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your • Tarasoff Case:
course of action. Modify and continue to evaluate - Set the legal precedent for the understanding
the ethical plan as necessary. of clinical psychologists on the limits of
confidentiality agreements with clients.
Ethical Decision Making • CP have a duty to warn people toward whom their
• Psychologists best prepare themselves to deal clients make credible, serious threats.
with ethical dilemmas by becoming generally
ethical people with sound values. • When the client is a child/adolescent:
• Functioning as an ethical psychologists should - Therapists working with these clients often
not be a rote exercise. negotiate arrangement with clients and
• The model for decision-making work best when parents whereby the parents will not expect
utilized by a person who has already examined his to be informed of what the client discloses in
or her own values and aligned them with the therapy except under specified condition.
ethics of the profession. Issues: child abuse: mental health
professionals break confidentiality to report
Psychologist's Ethical Beliefs known or suspected child abuse
• What do psychologists actually believe about the • Some situations demand that the clinical
ethicality of behaviors they might perform? What psychologist's primary responsibility shift to the
ethical beliefs do they hold? immediate prevention of harm.
• These questions were addressed in a large-scale • Child abuse situations often require the CP to
survey of the APA members. make difficult judgment calls.
• More than 450 members of Division 29
(Psychotherapy) of the APA rated the ethicality of Informed consent
83 separate behaviors that a psychologist might • Is an essential process in any professional activity
perform toward, with, or in response to a client. conducted by psychologists.
• Few behaviors (sex with clients or former clients,
socializing with current clients, disclosing • Assessment and therapy:
confidential information without cause or - Assures the person to become
permission) are viewed as blatantly unethical. knowledgeable about the activities in which
• Few other behaviors (shaking hands with clients, they may participate.
addressing clients by first name, breaking
confidentiality if clients are suicidal or homicidal) • Research:
are viewed as unquestionably ethical. - Instructs psychologists to inform prospective
participants about numerous aspects of the
study.
Multiple relationships Ethics in Clinical Assessment
• Multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist • Test Selection:
is in a professional role with person and at the - Entail a number of factors, including the
same time. psychologist's competence; the client's culture,
• Is in another role with the same person. language, and age; and the test's reliability and
• Is in a relationship with a person closely validity.
associated with people whom the psychologist Psychologists must not select teste that have
has the professional relationship. become obsolete or have been replaced by
• Promises to enter into another relationship in the revised editions that are better suited to the
future with the person or a person closely assessment questions being addressed.
associated with or related to the person.
• Test Security:
What makes it UNETHICAL? - Psychologists should make efforts to protect
• Two Criteria: the security and integrity of the test materials
1. Impairment in the Psychology they use.
▪ If the role with the client makes it difficult - Psychologists should prevent the questions,
for the psychologist to remain objective, items, and other stimuli included in
competent, or effective, then it should be psychological tests from entering the public
avoided. domain.
2. Exploitation or Harm to the Client
▪ Therapist-client relationship is Ethics in Clinical Assessment
characterized by unequal power; • Test Data
therapist is the authority. - Refer to the raw data that the client provided
during testing - responses and other notes
Competence that the psychologist made.
• Competent clinical psychologists are those who - The current edition instructs the
are sufficiently capable, skilled, experienced, and psychologists to release test data unless
expert to adequately complete the professional there is reason to believe that the data will be
tasks they undertake. misused or will harm client.
• Psychologists not only need to become - This revision reflects the more global shift
competent; they must also remain competent. toward patient autonomy.

• Continuing education regulations Ethics in Clinical Research

- Enable the psychologists to renew their • Psychotherapy efficacy
licenses by attending lecture, participating in - The participants in therapy efficacy studies
workshops, etc. who don't receive the treatment being studied
are placed in one of these conditions:
• Cultural competence a. No treatment (wait-list control)
- One of the aspects of competence that b. Placebo treatment
clinical psychologists must develop. c. Personal interaction with professional
but the therapeutic techniques was
• Issue: deliberately omitted.
- Own personal problem of psychologists can d. Alternate treatment
lessen their competence.
Contemporary Ethical Issues
• Measures: • Manage care and ethics:
- Obtaining professional consultation, - Confidentiality, diagnosis.
determining whether they should limit, • Technology and ethics
suspend, or terminate their work-related - Test security
duties. • Ethics in small community
- Multiple relationships.