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The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
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ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
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Effective date June 1, 2003.
Copyright © 2002 American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION AND APPLICABILITY
Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Principle C: Integrity
Principle D: Justice
Principle E: Respect for People's Rights and Dignity
1.01 Misuse of Psychologists' Work
1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority
1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands
1.04 Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations
1.05 Reporting Ethical Violations
1.06 Cooperating With Ethics Committees
1.07 Improper Complaints
1.08 Unfair Discrimination Against Complainants and Respondents
2.01 Boundaries of Competence
2.02 Providing Services in Emergencies
2.03 Maintaining Competence
2.04 Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments
2.05 Delegation of Work to Others
2.06 Personal Problems and Conflicts
3.01 Unfair Discrimination
3.02 Sexual Harassment
3.03 Other Harassment
3.04 Avoiding Harm
3.05 Multiple Relationships
3.06 Conflict of Interest
3.07 Third-Party Requests for Services
3.08 Exploitative Relationships
3.09 Cooperation With Other Professionals
3.10 Informed Consent
3.11 Psychological Services Delivered To or Through Organizations
3.12 Interruption of Psychological Services
4. Privacy And Confidentiality
4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality
4.02 Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality
4.03 Recording
4.04 Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy
4.05 Disclosures
4.06 Consultations
4.07 Use of Confidential Information for Didactic or Other Purposes
5. Advertising and Other Public Statements
5.01 Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements
5.02 Statements by Others
5.03 Descriptions of Workshops and Non-Degree-Granting Educational Programs
5.04 Media Presentations
5.05 Testimonials
5.06 In-Person Solicitation
6.01 Documentation of Professional and Scientific Work and Maintenance of Records
6.02 Maintenance, Dissemination, and Disposal of Confidential Records of Professional and Scientific Work
6.03 Withholding Records for Nonpayment
6.04 Fees and Financial Arrangements
6.05 Barter With Clients/Patients
6.06 Accuracy in Reports to Payors and Funding Sources
6.07 Referrals and Fees
7.01 Design of Education and Training Programs
7.02 Descriptions of Education and Training Programs
7.03 Accuracy in Teaching
7.04 Student Disclosure of Personal Information
7.05 Mandatory Individual or Group Therapy
7.06 Assessing Student and Supervisee Performance
7.07 Sexual Relationships With Students and Supervisees
8.01 Institutional Approval
8.02 Informed Consent to Research
8.03 Informed Consent for Recording Voices and Images in Research
8.04 Client/Patient, Student, and Subordinate Research Participants
8.05 Dispensing With Informed Consent for Research
8.06 Offering Inducements for Research Participation
8.07 Deception in Research
8.08 Debriefing
8.09 Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research
8.10 Reporting Research Results
8.11 Plagiarism
8.12 Publication Credit
8.13 Duplicate Publication of Data
8.14 Sharing Research Data for Verification
8.15 Reviewers
9.01 Bases for Assessments
9.02 Use of Assessments
9.03 Informed Consent in Assessments
9.04 Release of Test Data
9.05 Test Construction
9.06 Interpreting Assessment Results
9.07 Assessment by Unqualified Persons
9.08 Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Results
9.09 Test Scoring and Interpretation Services
9.10 Explaining Assessment Results
9.11. Maintaining Test Security
10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy
10.02 Therapy Involving Couples or Families
10.03 Group Therapy
10.04 Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others
10.05 Sexual Intimacies With Current Therapy Clients/Patients
10.06 Sexual Intimacies With Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients
10.07 Therapy With Former Sexual Partners
10.08 Sexual Intimacies With Former Therapy Clients/Patients
10.09 Interruption of Therapy
10.10 Terminating Therapy
INTRODUCTION AND APPLICABILITY
The American Psychological Association's (APA's) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the Ethics Code) consists of an Introduction, a Preamble, five General Principles (A - E), and specific Ethical Standards. The Introduction discusses the intent, organization, procedural considerations, and scope of application of the Ethics Code. The Preamble and General Principles are aspirational goals to guide psychologists toward the highest ideals of psychology. Although the Preamble and General Principles are not themselves enforceable rules, they should be considered by psychologists in arriving at an ethical course of action. The Ethical Standards set forth enforceable rules for conduct as psychologists. Most of the Ethical Standards are written broadly, in order to apply to psychologists in varied roles, although the application of an Ethical Standard may vary depending on the context. The Ethical Standards are not exhaustive. The fact that a given conduct is not specifically addressed by an Ethical Standard does not mean that it is necessarily either ethical or unethical.
This Ethics Code applies only to psychologists' activities that are part of their scientific, educational, or professional roles as psychologists. Areas covered include but are not limited to the clinical, counseling, and school practice of psychology; research; teaching; supervision of trainees; public service; policy development; social intervention; development of assessment instruments; conducting assessments; educational counseling; organizational consulting; forensic activities; program design and evaluation; and administration. This Ethics Code applies to these activities across a variety of contexts, such as in person, postal, telephone, internet, and other electronic transmissions. These activities shall be distinguished from the purely private conduct of psychologists, which is not within the purview of the Ethics Code.
Membership in the APA commits members and student affiliates to comply with the standards of the APA Ethics Code and to the rules and procedures used to enforce them. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an Ethical Standard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct.
The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical conduct are described in the current Rules and Procedures of the APA Ethics Committee. APA may impose sanctions on its members for violations of the standards of the Ethics Code, including termination of APA membership, and may notify other bodies and individuals of its actions. Actions that violate the standards of the Ethics Code may also lead to the imposition of sanctions on psychologists or students whether or not they are APA members by bodies other than APA, including state psychological associations, other professional groups, psychology boards, other state or federal agencies, and payors for health services. In addition, APA may take action against a member after his or her conviction of a felony, expulsion or suspension from an affiliated state psychological association, or suspension or loss of licensure. When the sanction to be imposed by APA is less than expulsion, the 2001 Rules and Procedures do not guarantee an opportunity for an in-person hearing, but generally provide that complaints will be resolved only on the basis of a submitted record.
The Ethics Code is intended to provide guidance for psychologists and standards of professional conduct that can be applied by the APA and by other bodies that choose to adopt them. The Ethics Code is not intended to be a basis of civil liability. Whether a psychologist has violated the Ethics Code standards does not by itself determine whether the psychologist is legally liable in a court action, whether a contract is enforceable, or whether other legal consequences occur.
The modifiers used in some of the standards of this Ethics Code (e.g., reasonably, appropriate, potentially) are included in the standards when they would (1) allow professional judgment on the part of psychologists, (2) eliminate injustice or inequality that would occur without the modifier, (3) ensure applicability across the broad range of activities conducted by psychologists, or (4) guard against a set of rigid rules that might be quickly outdated. As used in this Ethics Code, the term reasonable means the prevailing professional judgment of psychologists engaged in similar activities in similar circumstances, given the knowledge the psychologist had or should have had at the time.
In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, psychologists must consider this Ethics Code in addition to applicable laws and psychology board regulations. In applying the Ethics Code to their professional work, psychologists may consider other materials and guidelines that have been adopted or endorsed by scientific and professional psychological organizations and the dictates of their own conscience, as well as consult with others within the field. If this Ethics Code establishes a higher standard of conduct than is required by law, psychologists must meet the higher ethical standard. If psychologists' ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psychologists make known their commitment to this Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. If the conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing authority in keeping with basic principles of human rights.
Psychologists are committed to increasing scientific and professional knowledge of behavior and people's understanding of themselves and others and to the use of such knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, organizations, and society. Psychologists respect and protect civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom of inquiry and expression in research, teaching, and publication. They strive to help the public in developing informed judgments and choices concerning human behavior. In doing so, they perform many roles, such as researcher, educator, diagnostician, therapist, supervisor, consultant, administrator, social interventionist, and expert witness. This Ethics Code provides a common set of principles and standards upon which psychologists build their professional and scientific work.
This Ethics Code is intended to provide specific standards to cover most situations encountered by psychologists. It has as its goals the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom psychologists work and the education of members, students, and the public regarding ethical standards of the discipline.
The development of a dynamic set of ethical standards for psychologists' work-related conduct requires a personal commitment and lifelong effort to act ethically; to encourage ethical behavior by students, supervisees, employees, and colleagues; and to consult with others concerning ethical problems.
This section consists of General Principles. General Principles, as opposed to Ethical Standards, are aspirational in nature. Their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of the profession. General Principles, in contrast to Ethical Standards, do not represent obligations and should not form the basis for imposing sanctions. Relying upon General Principles for either of these reasons distorts both their meaning and purpose.
Principle A: Beneficence and
Nonmaleficence
Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no
harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare
and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected
persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur
among psychologists' obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these
conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because
psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the
lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial,
social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their
influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own
physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.
Principle B: Fidelity and
Responsibility
Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work.
They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society
and to the specific communities in which they work. Psychologists uphold
professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and
obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to
manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm.
Psychologists consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and
institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of those with whom
they work. They are concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues'
scientific and professional conduct. Psychologists strive to contribute a
portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal
advantage.
Principle C: Integrity
Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the
science, teaching, and practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists
do not steal, cheat, or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional
misrepresentation of fact. Psychologists strive to keep their promises and to
avoid unwise or unclear commitments. In situations in which deception may be
ethically justifiable to maximize benefits and minimize harm, psychologists have
a serious obligation to consider the need for, the possible consequences of, and
their responsibility to correct any resulting mistrust or other harmful effects
that arise from the use of such techniques.
Principle D: Justice
Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access
to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the
processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists.
Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that
their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations
of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.
Principle E: Respect for
People's Rights and Dignity
Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of
individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Psychologists
are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and
welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair autonomous
decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual,
and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity,
race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, language, and socioeconomic status and consider these factors when
working with members of such groups. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect
on their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly
participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices.
1.01 Misuse of Psychologists' Work
If psychologists learn of misuse or misrepresentation of their work, they take
reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse or misrepresentation.
1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and
Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority
If psychologists' ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or
other governing legal authority, psychologists make known their commitment to
the Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict. If the conflict is
unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the
law, regulations, or other governing legal authority.
1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and
Organizational Demands
If the demands of an organization with which psychologists are affiliated or for
whom they are working conflict with this Ethics Code, psychologists clarify the
nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and to
the extent feasible, resolve the conflict in a way that permits adherence to the
Ethics Code.
1.04 Informal Resolution of Ethical
Violations
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, if an informal resolution appears appropriate and
the intervention does not violate any confidentiality rights that may be
involved. (See also Standards 1.02, Conflicts Between Ethics and
Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority, and 1.03,
Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands.)
1.05 Reporting Ethical Violations
If an apparent ethical violation has substantially harmed or is likely to
substantially harm a person or organization and is not appropriate for informal
resolution under Standard 1.04, Informal Resolution of Ethical
Violations, or is not resolved properly in that fashion, psychologists take
further action appropriate to the situation. Such action might include referral
to state or national committees on professional ethics, to state licensing
boards, or to the appropriate institutional authorities. This standard does not
apply when an intervention would violate confidentiality rights or when
psychologists have been retained to review the work of another psychologist
whose professional conduct is in question. (See also Standard 1.02,
Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal
Authority.)
1.06 Cooperating With Ethics
Committees
Psychologists cooperate in ethics investigations, proceedings, and resulting
requirements of the APA or any affiliated state psychological association to
which they belong. In doing so, they address any confidentiality issues. Failure
to cooperate is itself an ethics violation. However, making a request for
deferment of adjudication of an ethics complaint pending the outcome of
litigation does not alone constitute noncooperation.
1.07 Improper Complaints
Psychologists do not file or encourage the filing of ethics complaints that are
made with reckless disregard for or willful ignorance of facts that would
disprove the allegation.
1.08 Unfair Discrimination Against
Complainants and Respondents
Psychologists do not deny persons employment, advancement, admissions to
academic or other programs, tenure, or promotion, based solely upon their having
made or their being the subject of an ethics complaint. This does not preclude
taking action based upon the outcome of such proceedings or considering other
appropriate information.
2.01 Boundaries of Competence
(a) Psychologists provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations
and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their
education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional
experience.
(b) Where scientific or professional knowledge in the discipline of psychology establishes that an understanding of factors associated with age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status is essential for effective implementation of their services or research, psychologists have or obtain the training, experience, consultation, or supervision necessary to ensure the competence of their services, or they make appropriate referrals, except as provided in Standard 2.02, Providing Services in Emergencies.
(c) Psychologists planning to provide services, teach, or conduct research involving populations, areas, techniques, or technologies new to them undertake relevant education, training, supervised experience, consultation, or study.
(d) When psychologists are asked to provide services to individuals for whom appropriate mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the competence necessary, psychologists with closely related prior training or experience may provide such services in order to ensure that services are not denied if they make a reasonable effort to obtain the competence required by using relevant research, training, consultation, or study.
(e) In those emerging areas in which generally recognized standards for preparatory training do not yet exist, psychologists nevertheless take reasonable steps to ensure the competence of their work and to protect clients/patients, students, supervisees, research participants, organizational clients, and others from harm.
(f) When assuming forensic roles, psychologists are or become reasonably familiar with the judicial or administrative rules governing their roles.
2.02 Providing Services in
Emergencies
In emergencies, when psychologists provide services to individuals for whom
other mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have
not obtained the necessary training, psychologists may provide such services in
order to ensure that services are not denied. The services are discontinued as
soon as the emergency has ended or appropriate services are available.
2.03 Maintaining Competence
Psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their
competence.
2.04 Bases for Scientific and
Professional Judgments
Psychologists' work is based upon established scientific and professional
knowledge of the discipline. (See also Standards 2.01e,
Boundaries of Competence, and 10.01b, Informed Consent to
Therapy.)
2.05 Delegation of Work to Others
Psychologists who delegate work to employees, supervisees, or research or
teaching assistants or who use the services of others, such as interpreters,
take reasonable steps to (1) avoid delegating such work to persons who have a
multiple relationship with those being served that would likely lead to
exploitation or loss of objectivity; (2) authorize only those responsibilities
that such persons can be expected to perform competently on the basis of their
education, training, or experience, either independently or with the level of
supervision being provided; and (3) see that such persons perform these services
competently. (See also Standards 2.02, Providing Services in
Emergencies; 3.05, Multiple Relationships; 4.01,
Maintaining Confidentiality; 9.01, Bases for Assessments;
9.02, Use of Assessments; 9.03, Informed
Consent in Assessments; and 9.07, Assessment by Unqualified
Persons.)
2.06 Personal Problems and
Conflicts
(a) Psychologists refrain from initiating an activity when they know or should
know that there is a substantial likelihood that their personal problems will
prevent them from performing their work-related activities in a competent
manner.
(b) When psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties. (See also Standard 10.10, Terminating Therapy.)
3.01 Unfair Discrimination
In their work-related activities, psychologists do not engage in unfair
discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture,
national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status,
or any basis proscribed by law.
3.02 Sexual Harassment
Psychologists do not engage in sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is sexual
solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual
in nature, that occurs in connection with the psychologist's activities or roles
as a psychologist, and that either (1) is unwelcome, is offensive, or creates a
hostile workplace or educational environment, and the psychologist knows or is
told this or (2) is sufficiently severe or intense to be abusive to a reasonable
person in the context. Sexual harassment can consist of a single intense or
severe act or of multiple persistent or pervasive acts. (See also Standard 1.08,
Unfair Discrimination Against Complainants and Respondents.)
3.03 Other Harassment
Psychologists do not knowingly engage in behavior that is harassing or demeaning
to persons with whom they interact in their work based on factors such as those
persons' age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic
status.
3.04 Avoiding Harm
Psychologists take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients/patients,
students, supervisees, research participants, organizational clients, and others
with whom they work, and to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and
unavoidable.
3.05 Multiple Relationships
(a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role
with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person,
(2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with
or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional
relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future
with the person or a person closely associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists.
Multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical.
(b) If a psychologist finds that, due to unforeseen factors, a potentially harmful multiple relationship has arisen, the psychologist takes reasonable steps to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the affected person and maximal compliance with the Ethics Code.
(c) When psychologists are required by law, institutional policy, or extraordinary circumstances to serve in more than one role in judicial or administrative proceedings, at the outset they clarify role expectations and the extent of confidentiality and thereafter as changes occur. (See also Standards 3.04, Avoiding Harm, and 3.07, Third-Party Requests for Services.)
3.06 Conflict of Interest
Psychologists refrain from taking on a professional role when personal,
scientific, professional, legal, financial, or other interests or relationships
could reasonably be expected to (1) impair their objectivity, competence, or
effectiveness in performing their functions as psychologists or (2) expose the
person or organization with whom the professional relationship exists to harm or
exploitation.
3.07 Third-Party Requests for
Services
When psychologists agree to provide services to a person or entity at the
request of a third party, psychologists attempt to clarify at the outset of the
service the nature of the relationship with all individuals or organizations
involved. This clarification includes the role of the psychologist (e.g.,
therapist, consultant, diagnostician, or expert witness), an identification of
who is the client, the probable uses of the services provided or the information
obtained, and the fact that there may be limits to confidentiality. (See also
Standards 3.05, Multiple Relationships, and 4.02,
Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality.)
3.08 Exploitative Relationships
Psychologists do not exploit persons over whom they have supervisory,
evaluative, or other authority such as clients/patients, students, supervisees,
research participants, and employees. (See also Standards 3.05,
Multiple Relationships; 6.04, Fees and Financial
Arrangements; 6.05, Barter With Clients/Patients; 7.07,
Sexual Relationships With Students and Supervisees; 10.05,
Sexual Intimacies With Current Therapy Clients/Patients; 10.06,
Sexual Intimacies With Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy
Clients/Patients; 10.07, Therapy With Former Sexual
Partners; and 10.08, Sexual Intimacies With Former Therapy
Clients/Patients.)
3.09 Cooperation With Other
Professionals
When indicated and professionally appropriate, psychologists cooperate with
other professionals in order to serve their clients/patients effectively and
appropriately. (See also Standard 4.05, Disclosures.)
3.10 Informed Consent
(a) When psychologists conduct research or provide assessment, therapy,
counseling, or consulting services in person or via electronic transmission or
other forms of communication, they obtain the informed consent of the individual
or individuals using language that is reasonably understandable to that person
or persons except when conducting such activities without consent is mandated by
law or governmental regulation or as otherwise provided in this Ethics Code.
(See also Standards 8.02, Informed Consent to Research; 9.03,
Informed Consent in Assessments; and 10.01, Informed
Consent to Therapy.)
(b) For persons who are legally incapable of giving informed consent, psychologists nevertheless (1) provide an appropriate explanation, (2) seek the individual's assent, (3) consider such persons' preferences and best interests, and (4) obtain appropriate permission from a legally authorized person, if such substitute consent is permitted or required by law. When consent by a legally authorized person is not permitted or required by law, psychologists take reasonable steps to protect the individual's rights and welfare.
(c) When psychological services are court ordered or otherwise mandated, psychologists inform the individual of the nature of the anticipated services, including whether the services are court ordered or mandated and any limits of confidentiality, before proceeding.
(d) Psychologists appropriately document written or oral consent, permission, and assent. (See also Standards 8.02, Informed Consent to Research; 9.03, Informed Consent in Assessments; and 10.01, Informed Consent to Therapy.)
3.11 Psychological Services
Delivered To or Through Organizations
(a) Psychologists delivering services to or through organizations provide
information beforehand to clients and when appropriate those directly affected
by the services about (1) the nature and objectives of the services, (2) the
intended recipients, (3) which of the individuals are clients, (4) the
relationship the psychologist will have with each person and the organization,
(5) the probable uses of services provided and information obtained, (6) who
will have access to the information, and (7) limits of confidentiality. As soon
as feasible, they provide information about the results and conclusions of such
services to appropriate persons.
(b) If psychologists will be precluded by law or by organizational roles from providing such information to particular individuals or groups, they so inform those individuals or groups at the outset of the service.
3.12 Interruption of Psychological
Services
Unless otherwise covered by contract, psychologists make reasonable efforts to
plan for facilitating services in the event that psychological services are
interrupted by factors such as the psychologist's illness, death,
unavailability, relocation, or retirement or by the client's/patient's
relocation or financial limitations. (See also Standard 6.02c,
Maintenance, Dissemination, and Disposal of Confidential Records of Professional
and Scientific Work.)
4. Privacy And Confidentiality
4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality
Psychologists have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to
protect confidential information obtained through or stored in any medium,
recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated by
law or established by institutional rules or professional or scientific
relationship. (See also Standard 2.05, Delegation of Work to
Others.)
4.02 Discussing the Limits of
Confidentiality
(a) Psychologists discuss with persons (including, to the extent feasible,
persons who are legally incapable of giving informed consent and their legal
representatives) and organizations with whom they establish a scientific or
professional relationship (1) the relevant limits of confidentiality and (2) the
foreseeable uses of the information generated through their psychological
activities. (See also Standard 3.10, Informed Consent.)
(b) Unless it is not feasible or is contraindicated, the discussion of confidentiality occurs at the outset of the relationship and thereafter as new circumstances may warrant.
(c) Psychologists who offer services, products, or information via electronic transmission inform clients/patients of the risks to privacy and limits of confidentiality.
4.03 Recording
Before recording the voices or images of individuals to whom they provide
services, psychologists obtain permission from all such persons or their legal
representatives. (See also Standards 8.03, Informed Consent for
Recording Voices and Images in Research; 8.05, Dispensing
With Informed Consent for Research; and 8.07, Deception in
Research.)
4.04 Minimizing Intrusions on
Privacy
(a) Psychologists include in written and oral reports and consultations, only
information germane to the purpose for which the communication is made.
(b) Psychologists discuss confidential information obtained in their work only for appropriate scientific or professional purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with such matters.
4.05 Disclosures
(a) Psychologists may disclose confidential information with the appropriate
consent of the organizational client, the individual client/patient, or another
legally authorized person on behalf of the client/patient unless prohibited by
law.
(b) Psychologists disclose confidential information without the consent of the individual only as mandated by law, or where permitted by law for a valid purpose such as to (1) provide needed professional services; (2) obtain appropriate professional consultations; (3) protect the client/patient, psychologist, or others from harm; or (4) obtain payment for services from a client/patient, in which instance disclosure is limited to the minimum that is necessary to achieve the purpose. (See also Standard 6.04e, Fees and Financial Arrangements.)
4.06 Consultations
When consulting with colleagues, (1) psychologists do not disclose confidential
information that reasonably could lead to the identification of a
client/patient, research participant, or other person or organization with whom
they have a confidential relationship unless they have obtained the prior
consent of the person or organization or the disclosure cannot be avoided, and
(2) they disclose information only to the extent necessary to achieve the
purposes of the consultation. (See also Standard 4.01,
Maintaining Confidentiality.)
4.07 Use of Confidential
Information for Didactic or Other Purposes
Psychologists do not disclose in their writings, lectures, or other public
media, confidential, personally identifiable information concerning their
clients/patients, students, research participants, organizational clients, or
other recipients of their services that they obtained during the course of their
work, unless (1) they take reasonable steps to disguise the person or
organization, (2) the person or organization has consented in writing, or (3)
there is legal authorization for doing so.
5. Advertising and Other Public Statements
5.01 Avoidance of False or
Deceptive Statements
(a) Public statements include but are not limited to paid or unpaid advertising,
product endorsements, grant applications, licensing applications, other
credentialing applications, brochures, printed matter, directory listings,
personal resumes or curricula vitae, or comments for use in media such as print
or electronic transmission, statements in legal proceedings, lectures and public
oral presentations, and published materials. Psychologists do not knowingly make
public statements that are false, deceptive, or fraudulent concerning their
research, practice, or other work activities or those of persons or
organizations with which they are affiliated.
(b) Psychologists do not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements concerning (1) their training, experience, or competence; (2) their academic degrees; (3) their credentials; (4) their institutional or association affiliations; (5) their services; (6) the scientific or clinical basis for, or results or degree of success of, their services; (7) their fees; or (8) their publications or research findings.
(c) Psychologists claim degrees as credentials for their health services only if those degrees (1) were earned from a regionally accredited educational institution or (2) were the basis for psychology licensure by the state in which they practice.
5.02 Statements by Others
(a) Psychologists who engage others to create or place public statements that
promote their professional practice, products, or activities retain professional
responsibility for such statements.
(b) Psychologists do not compensate employees of press, radio, television, or other communication media in return for publicity in a news item. (See also Standard 1.01, Misuse of Psychologists' Work.)
(c) A paid advertisement relating to psychologists' activities must be identified or clearly recognizable as such.
5.03 Descriptions of Workshops and
Non-Degree-Granting Educational Programs
To the degree to which they exercise control, psychologists responsible for
announcements, catalogs, brochures, or advertisements describing workshops,
seminars, or other non-degree-granting educational programs ensure that they
accurately describe the audience for which the program is intended, the
educational objectives, the presenters, and the fees involved.
5.04 Media Presentations
When psychologists provide public advice or comment via print, Internet, or
other electronic transmission, they take precautions to ensure that statements
(1) are based on their professional knowledge, training, or experience in accord
with appropriate psychological literature and practice; (2) are otherwise
consistent with this Ethics Code; and (3) do not indicate that a professional
relationship has been established with the recipient. (See also Standard 2.04,
Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments.)
5.05 Testimonials
Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current therapy clients/patients
or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to
undue influence.
5.06 In-Person Solicitation
Psychologists do not engage, directly or through agents, in uninvited in-person
solicitation of business from actual or potential therapy clients/patients or
other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to
undue influence. However, this prohibition does not preclude (1) attempting to
implement appropriate collateral contacts for the purpose of benefiting an
already engaged therapy client/patient or (2) providing disaster or community
outreach services.
6.01 Documentation of Professional
and Scientific Work and Maintenance of Records
Psychologists create, and to the extent the records are under their control,
maintain, disseminate, store, retain, and dispose of records and data relating
to their professional and scientific work in order to (1) facilitate provision
of services later by them or by other professionals, (2) allow for replication
of research design and analyses, (3) meet institutional requirements, (4) ensure
accuracy of billing and payments, and (5) ensure compliance with law. (See also
Standard 4.01, Maintaining Confidentiality.)
6.02 Maintenance, Dissemination,
and Disposal of Confidential Records of Professional and Scientific Work
(a) Psychologists maintain confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing,
transferring, and disposing of records under their control, whether these are
written, automated, or in any other medium. (See also Standards 4.01,
Maintaining Confidentiality, and 6.01, Documentation of
Professional and Scientific Work and Maintenance of Records.)
(b) If confidential information concerning recipients of psychological services is entered into databases or systems of records available to persons whose access has not been consented to by the recipient, psychologists use coding or other techniques to avoid the inclusion of personal identifiers.
(c) Psychologists make plans in advance to facilitate the appropriate transfer and to protect the confidentiality of records and data in the event of psychologists' withdrawal from positions or practice. (See also Standards 3.12, Interruption of Psychological Services, and 10.09, Interruption of Therapy.)
6.03 Withholding Records for
Nonpayment
Psychologists may not withhold records under their control that are requested
and needed for a client's/patient's emergency treatment solely because payment
has not been received.
6.04 Fees and Financial
Arrangements
(a) As early as is feasible in a professional or scientific relationship,
psychologists and recipients of psychological services reach an agreement
specifying compensation and billing arrangements.
(b) Psychologists' fee practices are consistent with law.
(c) Psychologists do not misrepresent their fees.
(d) If limitations to services can be anticipated because of limitations in financing, this is discussed with the recipient of services as early as is feasible. (See also Standards 10.09, Interruption of Therapy, and 10.10, Terminating Therapy.)
(e) If the recipient of services does not pay for services as agreed, and if psychologists intend to use collection agencies or legal measures to collect the fees, psychologists first inform the person that such measures will be taken and provide that person an opportunity to make prompt payment. (See also Standards 4.05, Disclosures; 6.03, Withholding Records for Nonpayment; and 10.01, Informed Consent to Therapy.)
6.05 Barter With Clients/Patients
Barter is the acceptance of goods, services, or other nonmonetary remuneration
from clients/patients in return for psychological services. Psychologists may
barter only if (1) it is not clinically contraindicated, and (2) the resulting
arrangement is not exploitative. (See also Standards 3.05,
Multiple Relationships, and 6.04, Fees and Financial
Arrangements.)
6.06 Accuracy in Reports to Payors
and Funding Sources
In their reports to payors for services or sources of research funding,
psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure the accurate reporting of the
nature of the service provided or research conducted, the fees, charges, or
payments, and where applicable, the identity of the provider, the findings, and
the diagnosis. (See also Standards 4.01, Maintaining
Confidentiality; 4.04, Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy;
and 4.05, Disclosures.)
6.07 Referrals and Fees
When psychologists pay, receive payment from, or divide fees with another
professional, other than in an employer-employee relationship, the payment to
each is based on the services provided (clinical, consultative, administrative,
or other) and is not based on the referral itself. (See also Standard 3.09,
Cooperation With Other Professionals.)
7.01 Design of Education and
Training Programs
Psychologists responsible for education and training programs take reasonable
steps to ensure that the programs are designed to provide the appropriate
knowledge and proper experiences, and to meet the requirements for licensure,
certification, or other goals for which claims are made by the program. (See
also Standard 5.03, Descriptions of Workshops and
Non-Degree-Granting Educational Programs.)
7.02 Descriptions of Education and
Training Programs
Psychologists responsible for education and training programs take reasonable
steps to ensure that there is a current and accurate description of the program
content (including participation in required course- or program-related
counseling, psychotherapy, experiential groups, consulting projects, or
community service), training goals and objectives, stipends and benefits, and
requirements that must be met for satisfactory completion of the program. This
information must be made readily available to all interested parties.
7.03 Accuracy in Teaching
(a) Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that course syllabi are
accurate regarding the subject matter to be covered, bases for evaluating
progress, and the nature of course experiences. This standard does not preclude
an instructor from modifying course content or requirements when the instructor
considers it pedagogically necessary or desirable, so long as students are made
aware of these modifications in a manner that enables them to fulfill course
requirements. (See also Standard 5.01, Avoidance of False or
Deceptive Statements.)
(b) When engaged in teaching or training, psychologists present psychological information accurately. (See also Standard 2.03, Maintaining Competence.)
7.04 Student Disclosure of Personal
Information
Psychologists do not require students or supervisees to disclose personal
information in course- or program-related activities, either orally or in
writing, regarding sexual history, history of abuse and neglect, psychological
treatment, and relationships with parents, peers, and spouses or significant
others except if (1) the program or training facility has clearly identified
this requirement in its admissions and program materials or (2) the information
is necessary to evaluate or obtain assistance for students whose personal
problems could reasonably be judged to be preventing them from performing their
training- or professionally related activities in a competent manner or posing a
threat to the students or others.
7.05 Mandatory Individual or Group
Therapy
(a) When individual or group therapy is a program or course requirement,
psychologists responsible for that program allow students in undergraduate and
graduate programs the option of selecting such therapy from practitioners
unaffiliated with the program. (See also Standard 7.02,
Descriptions of Education and Training Programs.)
(b) Faculty who are or are likely to be responsible for evaluating students' academic performance do not themselves provide that therapy. (See also Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)
7.06 Assessing Student and
Supervisee Performance
(a) In academic and supervisory relationships, psychologists establish a timely
and specific process for providing feedback to students and supervisees.
Information regarding the process is provided to the student at the beginning of
supervision.
(b) Psychologists evaluate students and supervisees on the basis of their actual performance on relevant and established program requirements.
7.07 Sexual Relationships With
Students and Supervisees
Psychologists do not engage in sexual relationships with students or supervisees
who are in their department, agency, or training center or over whom
psychologists have or are likely to have evaluative authority. (See also
Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)
8.01 Institutional Approval
When institutional approval is required, psychologists provide accurate
information about their research proposals and obtain approval prior to
conducting the research. They conduct the research in accordance with the
approved research protocol.
8.02 Informed Consent to Research
(a) When obtaining informed consent as required in Standard 3.10,
Informed Consent, psychologists inform participants about (1) the purpose of
the research, expected duration, and procedures; (2) their right to decline to
participate and to withdraw from the research once participation has begun; (3)
the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing; (4) reasonably
foreseeable factors that may be expected to influence their willingness to
participate such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects; (5) any
prospective research benefits; (6) limits of confidentiality; (7) incentives for
participation; and (8) whom to contact for questions about the research and
research participants' rights. They provide opportunity for the prospective
participants to ask questions and receive answers. (See also Standards 8.03,
Informed Consent for Recording Voices and Images in Research; 8.05,
Dispensing With Informed Consent for Research; and 8.07,
Deception in Research.)
(b) Psychologists conducting intervention research involving the use of experimental treatments clarify to participants at the outset of the research (1) the experimental nature of the treatment; (2) the services that will or will not be available to the control group(s) if appropriate; (3) the means by which assignment to treatment and control groups will be made; (4) available treatment alternatives if an individual does not wish to participate in the research or wishes to withdraw once a study has begun; and (5) compensation for or monetary costs of participating including, if appropriate, whether reimbursement from the participant or a third-party payor will be sought. (See also Standard 8.02a, Informed Consent to Research.)
8.03 Informed Consent for Recording
Voices and Images in Research
Psychologists obtain informed consent from research participants prior to
recording their voices or images for data collection unless (1) the research
consists solely of naturalistic observations in public places, and it is not
anticipated that the recording will be used in a manner that could cause
personal identification or harm, or (2) the research design includes deception,
and consent for the use of the recording is obtained during debriefing. (See
also Standard 8.07, Deception in Research.)
8.04 Client/Patient, Student, and
Subordinate Research Participants
(a) When psychologists conduct research with clients/patients, students, or
subordinates as participants, psychologists take steps to protect the
prospective participants from adverse consequences of declining or withdrawing
from participation.
(b) When research participation is a course requirement or an opportunity for extra credit, the prospective participant is given the choice of equitable alternative activities.
8.05 Dispensing With Informed
Consent for Research
Psychologists may dispense with informed consent only (1) where research would
not reasonably be assumed to create distress or harm and involves (a) the study
of normal educational practices, curricula, or classroom management methods
conducted in educational settings; (b) only anonymous questionnaires,
naturalistic observations, or archival research for which disclosure of
responses would not place participants at risk of criminal or civil liability or
damage their financial standing, employability, or reputation, and
confidentiality is protected; or (c) the study of factors related to job or
organization effectiveness conducted in organizational settings for which there
is no risk to participants' employability, and confidentiality is protected or
(2) where otherwise permitted by law or federal or institutional regulations.
8.06 Offering Inducements for
Research Participation
(a) Psychologists make reasonable efforts to avoid offering excessive or
inappropriate financial or other inducements for research participation when
such inducements are likely to coerce participation.
(b) When offering professional services as an inducement for research participation, psychologists clarify the nature of the services, as well as the risks, obligations, and limitations. (See also Standard 6.05, Barter With Clients/Patients.)
8.07 Deception in Research
(a) Psychologists do not conduct a study involving deception unless they have
determined that the use of deceptive techniques is justified by the study's
significant prospective scientific, educational, or applied value and that
effective nondeceptive alternative procedures are not feasible.
(b) Psychologists do not deceive prospective participants about research that is reasonably expected to cause physical pain or severe emotional distress.
(c) Psychologists explain any deception that is an integral feature of the design and conduct of an experiment to participants as early as is feasible, preferably at the conclusion of their participation, but no later than at the conclusion of the data collection, and permit participants to withdraw their data. (See also Standard 8.08, Debriefing.)
8.08 Debriefing
(a) Psychologists provide a prompt opportunity for participants to obtain
appropriate information about the nature, results, and conclusions of the
research, and they take reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions that
participants may have of which the psychologists are aware.
(b) If scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding this information, psychologists take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm.
(c) When psychologists become aware that research procedures have harmed a participant, they take reasonable steps to minimize the harm.
8.09 Humane Care and Use of Animals
in Research
(a) Psychologists acquire, care for, use, and dispose of animals in compliance
with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and with
professional standards.
(b) Psychologists trained in research methods and experienced in the care of laboratory animals supervise all procedures involving animals and are responsible for ensuring appropriate consideration of their comfort, health, and humane treatment.
(c) Psychologists ensure that all individuals under their supervision who are using animals have received instruction in research methods and in the care, maintenance, and handling of the species being used, to the extent appropriate to their role. (See also Standard 2.05, Delegation of Work to Others.)
(d) Psychologists make reasonable efforts to minimize the discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of animal subjects.
(e) Psychologists use a procedure subjecting animals to pain, stress, or privation only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal is justified by its prospective scientific, educational, or applied value.
(f) Psychologists perform surgical procedures under appropriate anesthesia and follow techniques to avoid infection and minimize pain during and after surgery.
(g) When it is appropriate that an animal's life be terminated, psychologists proceed rapidly, with an effort to minimize pain and in accordance with accepted procedures.
8.10 Reporting Research Results
(a) Psychologists do not fabricate data. (See also Standard 5.01a,
Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements.)
(b) If psychologists discover significant errors in their published data, they take reasonable steps to correct such errors in a correction, retraction, erratum, or other appropriate publication means.
8.11 Plagiarism
Psychologists do not present portions of another's work or data as their own,
even if the other work or data source is cited occasionally.
8.12 Publication Credit
(a) Psychologists take responsibility and credit, including authorship credit,
only for work they have actually performed or to which they have substantially
contributed. (See also Standard 8.12b, Publication Credit.)
(b) Principal authorship and other publication credits accurately reflect the relative scientific or professional contributions of the individuals involved, regardless of their relative status. Mere possession of an institutional position, such as department chair, does not justify authorship credit. Minor contributions to the research or to the writing for publications are acknowledged appropriately, such as in footnotes or in an introductory statement.
(c) Except under exceptional circumstances, a student is listed as principal author on any multiple-authored article that is substantially based on the student's doctoral dissertation. Faculty advisors discuss publication credit with students as early as feasible and throughout the research and publication process as appropriate. (See also Standard 8.12b, Publication Credit.)
8.13 Duplicate Publication of Data
Psychologists do not publish, as original data, data that have been previously
published. This does not preclude republishing data when they are accompanied by
proper acknowledgment.
8.14 Sharing Research Data for
Verification
(a) After research results are published, psychologists do not withhold the data
on which their conclusions are based from other competent professionals who seek
to verify the substantive claims through reanalysis and who intend to use such
data only for that purpose, provided that the confidentiality of the
participants can be protected and unless legal rights concerning proprietary
data preclude their release. This does not preclude psychologists from requiring
that such individuals or groups be responsible for costs associated with the
provision of such information.
(b) Psychologists who request data from other psychologists to verify the substantive claims through reanalysis may use shared data only for the declared purpose. Requesting psychologists obtain prior written agreement for all other uses of the data.
8.15 Reviewers
Psychologists who review material submitted for presentation, publication,
grant, or research proposal review respect the confidentiality of and the
proprietary rights in such information of those who submitted it.
9.01 Bases for Assessments
(a) Psychologists base the opinions contained in their recommendations, reports,
and diagnostic or evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, on
information and techniques sufficient to substantiate their findings. (See also
Standard 2.04, Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments.)
(b) Except as noted in 9.01c, psychologists provide opinions of the psychological characteristics of individuals only after they have conducted an examination of the individuals adequate to support their statements or conclusions. When, despite reasonable efforts, such an examination is not practical, psychologists document the efforts they made and the result of those efforts, clarify the probable impact of their limited information on the reliability and validity of their opinions, and appropriately limit the nature and extent of their conclusions or recommendations. (See also Standards 2.01, Boundaries of Competence, and 9.06, Interpreting Assessment Results.)
(c) When psychologists conduct a record review or provide consultation or supervision and an individual examination is not warranted or necessary for the opinion, psychologists explain this and the sources of information on which they based their conclusions and recommendations.
9.02 Use of Assessments
(a) Psychologists administer, adapt, score, interpret, or use assessment
techniques, interviews, tests, or instruments in a manner and for purposes that
are appropriate in light of the research on or evidence of the usefulness and
proper application of the techniques.
(b) Psychologists use assessment instruments whose validity and reliability have been established for use with members of the population tested. When such validity or reliability has not been established, psychologists describe the strengths and limitations of test results and interpretation.
(c) Psychologists use assessment methods that are appropriate to an individual's language preference and competence, unless the use of an alternative language is relevant to the assessment issues.
9.03 Informed Consent in
Assessments
(a) Psychologists obtain informed consent for assessments, evaluations, or
diagnostic services, as described in Standard 3.10, Informed
Consent, except when (1) testing is mandated by law or governmental
regulations; (2) informed consent is implied because testing is conducted as a
routine educational, institutional, or organizational activity (e.g., when
participants voluntarily agree to assessment when applying for a job); or (3)
one purpose of the testing is to evaluate decisional capacity. Informed consent
includes an explanation of the nature and purpose of the assessment, fees,
involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and sufficient
opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive answers.
(b) Psychologists inform persons with questionable capacity to consent or for whom testing is mandated by law or governmental regulations about the nature and purpose of the proposed assessment services, using language that is reasonably understandable to the person being assessed.
(c) Psychologists using the services of an interpreter obtain informed consent from the client/patient to use that interpreter, ensure that confidentiality of test results and test security are maintained, and include in their recommendations, reports, and diagnostic or evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, discussion of any limitations on the data obtained. (See also Standards 2.05, Delegation of Work to Others; 4.01, Maintaining Confidentiality; 9.01, Bases for Assessments; 9.06, Interpreting Assessment Results; and 9.07, Assessment by Unqualified Persons.)
9.04 Release of Test Data
(a) The term test data refers to raw and scaled scores, client/patient
responses to test questions or stimuli, and psychologists' notes and recordings
concerning client/patient statements and behavior during an examination. Those
portions of test materials that include client/patient responses are included in
the definition of test data. Pursuant to a client/patient release,
psychologists provide test data to the client/patient or other persons
identified in the release. Psychologists may refrain from releasing test data to
protect a client/patient or others from substantial harm or misuse or
misrepresentation of the data or the test, recognizing that in many instances
release of confidential information under these circumstances is regulated by
law. (See also Standard 9.11, Maintaining Test Security.)
(b) In the absence of a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data only as required by law or court order.
9.05 Test Construction
Psychologists who develop tests and other assessment techniques use appropriate
psychometric procedures and current scientific or professional knowledge for
test design, standardization, validation, reduction or elimination of bias, and
recommendations for use.
9.06 Interpreting Assessment
Results
When interpreting assessment results, including automated interpretations,
psychologists take into account the purpose of the assessment as well as the
various test factors, test-taking abilities, and other characteristics of the
person being assessed, such as situational, personal, linguistic, and cultural
differences, that might affect psychologists' judgments or reduce the accuracy
of their interpretations. They indicate any significant limitations of their
interpretations. (See also Standards 2.01b and c, Boundaries of
Competence, and 3.01, Unfair Discrimination.)
9.07 Assessment by Unqualified
Persons
Psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by
unqualified persons, except when such use is conducted for training purposes
with appropriate supervision. (See also Standard 2.05,
Delegation of Work to Others.)
9.08 Obsolete Tests and Outdated
Test Results
(a) Psychologists do not base their assessment or intervention decisions or
recommendations on data or test results that are outdated for the current
purpose.
(b) Psychologists do not base such decisions or recommendations on tests and measures that are obsolete and not useful for the current purpose.
9.09 Test Scoring and
Interpretation Services
(a) Psychologists who offer assessment or scoring services to other
professionals accurately describe the purpose, norms, validity, reliability, and
applications of the procedures and any special qualifications applicable to
their use.
(b) Psychologists select scoring and interpretation services (including automated services) on the basis of evidence of the validity of the program and procedures as well as on other appropriate considerations. (See also Standard 2.01b and c, Boundaries of Competence.)
(c) Psychologists retain responsibility for the appropriate application, interpretation, and use of assessment instruments, whether they score and interpret such tests themselves or use automated or other services.
9.10 Explaining Assessment Results
Regardless of whether the scoring and interpretation are done by psychologists,
by employees or assistants, or by automated or other outside services,
psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that explanations of results are
given to the individual or designated representative unless the nature of the
relationship precludes provision of an explanation of results (such as in some
organizational consulting, preemployment or security screenings, and forensic
evaluations), and this fact has been clearly explained to the person being
assessed in advance.
9.11. Maintaining Test Security
The term test materials refers to manuals, instruments, protocols, and
test questions or stimuli and does not include test data as defined in
Standard 9.04, Release of Test Data. Psychologists make
reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of test materials and
other assessment techniques consistent with law and contractual obligations, and
in a manner that permits adherence to this Ethics Code.
10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy
(a) When obtaining informed consent to therapy as required in Standard 3.10,
Informed Consent, psychologists inform clients/patients as early as is
feasible in the therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course
of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality
and provide sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and
receive answers. (See also Standards 4.02, Discussing the Limits
of Confidentiality, and 6.04, Fees and Financial
Arrangements.)
(b) When obtaining informed consent for treatment for which generally recognized techniques and procedures have not been established, psychologists inform their clients/patients of the developing nature of the treatment, the potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of their participation. (See also Standards 2.01e, Boundaries of Competence, and 3.10, Informed Consent.)
(c) When the therapist is a trainee and the legal responsibility for the treatment provided resides with the supervisor, the client/patient, as part of the informed consent procedure, is informed that the therapist is in training and is being supervised and is given the name of the supervisor.
10.02 Therapy Involving Couples or
Families
(a) When psychologists agree to provide services to several persons who have a
relationship (such as spouses, significant others, or parents and children),
they take reasonable steps to clarify at the outset (1) which of the individuals
are clients/patients and (2) the relationship the psychologist will have with
each person. This clarification includes the psychologist's role and the
probable uses of the services provided or the information obtained. (See also
Standard 4.02, Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality.)
(b) If it becomes apparent that psychologists may be called on to perform potentially conflicting roles (such as family therapist and then witness for one party in divorce proceedings), psychologists take reasonable steps to clarify and modify, or withdraw from, roles appropriately. (See also Standard 3.05c, Multiple Relationships.)
10.03 Group Therapy
When psychologists provide services to several persons in a group setting, they
describe at the outset the roles and responsibilities of all parties and the
limits of confidentiality.
10.04 Providing Therapy to Those
Served by Others
In deciding whether to offer or provide services to those already receiving
mental health services elsewhere, psychologists carefully consider the treatment
issues and the potential client's/patient's welfare. Psychologists discuss these
issues with the client/patient or another legally authorized person on behalf of
the client/patient in order to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict,
consult with the other service providers when appropriate, and proceed with
caution and sensitivity to the therapeutic issues.
10.05 Sexual Intimacies With
Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy
clients/patients.
10.06 Sexual Intimacies With
Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to
be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current
clients/patients. Psychologists do not terminate therapy to circumvent this
standard.
10.07 Therapy With Former Sexual
Partners
Psychologists do not accept as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they
have engaged in sexual intimacies.
10.08 Sexual Intimacies With
Former Therapy Clients/Patients
(a) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former
clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of
therapy.
(b) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. Psychologists who engage in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed since therapy terminated; (2) the nature, duration, and intensity of the therapy; (3) the circumstances of termination; (4) the client's/patient's personal history; (5) the client's/patient's current mental status; (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client/patient; and (7) any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client/patient. (See also Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)
10.09 Interruption of Therapy
When entering into employment or contractual relationships, psychologists make
reasonable efforts to provide for orderly and appropriate resolution of
responsibility for client/patient care in the event that the employment or
contractual relationship ends, with paramount consideration given to the welfare
of the client/patient. (See also Standard 3.12, Interruption of
Psychological Services.)
10.10 Terminating Therapy
(a) Psychologists terminate therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the
client/patient no longer needs the service, is not likely to benefit, or is
being harmed by continued service.
(b) Psychologists may terminate therapy when threatened or otherwise endangered by the client/patient or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship.
(c) Except where precluded by the actions of clients/patients or third-party payors, prior to termination psychologists provide pretermination counseling and suggest alternative service providers as appropriate.
This version of the APA Ethics Code was adopted by the American Psychological Association's Council of Representatives during its meeting, August 21, 2002, and is effective beginning June 1, 2003. Inquiries concerning the substance or interpretation of the APA Ethics Code should be addressed to the Director, Office of Ethics, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. The Ethics Code and information regarding the Code can be found on the APA web site, http://www.apa.org/ethics. The standards in this Ethics Code will be used to adjudicate complaints brought concerning alleged conduct occurring on or after the effective date. Complaints regarding conduct occurring prior to the effective date will be adjudicated on the basis of the version of the Ethics Code that was in effect at the time the conduct occurred.
The APA has previously published its Ethics Code
