2. I. Resolving Ethical Issues
II. Standards of Professional
Competence
III.Human Relations
IV.Confidentiality
V.Advertisement and Public
Statements
VI.Records and Fees
4. A. Documentation and Maintenance of Records
Psychprac shall create records and data relating to their professional and
scientific works in order to (1) facilitate provision of services by themselves or by
other professionals; (2) allow for replication and evaluation of their research; (3)
meet institutional requirements; (4) ensure accuracy of billing and payments;
and (5) ensure compliance with relevant laws. Whenever possible, they shall
take responsibility for maintaining, disseminating, storing, retaining, and
disposing of such records and data.
5. B. Confidentiality of Records
a. Psychprac shall maintain confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing,
transferring, and disposing of their records in whatever form or medium they are
encoded and stored
b. When confidential information is entered into database or other systems that
available to other people, Psychprac shall use codes and other techniques to
avoid the inclusion of any personal identifiers.
c. In the event that the Psychprac shall withdraw from a position or practice,
they shall make advanced plans to facilitate the appropriate transfer or turn-over
of documents to ensure confidentiality and security of records and data.
6. C. Withholding Client Records
Psychprac shall not withhold the release of records that are requested and
needed by and for a client’s emergency treatment solely for the reason of non-
payment of professional fees.
D. Fees and Financial Arrangements
Pscyhprac shall enter into contractual arrangements with the recipients of their
services, which document shall contain clear stipulations on billing
arrangements, rate of professional fees, and such other provisions that the
parties may deem relevant.
7. A Case for Standard VI.A – Documentation and Maintenance of Records
Mr. Bean, a wealthy elderly male client, has been in treatment with Dr. Mola for about 3
months. Mr. Bean’s presenting complaint was feelings of depression. During the course
of treatment, Bean has discussed his many life regrets, including taking a hands-off
approach in the upbringing of his only son, Teddy. He berated himself for allowing his
wife to spoil his son. Now his wife is long-deceased, and his son has run wild and
accomplished nothing with his life.
Uncharacteristically, one day Bean did not show up for his scheduled appointment. Dr.
Mola called Bean’s home phone, leaving a voice mail message regarding the missed
appointment. Two days later, Dr. Mola received a voice mail from Teddy, Bean’s son,
requesting a callback at Bean’s home phone numbers.
On return call and conversation, Teddy told Dr. Mola that Bean was found dead in his
home by the house cleaner. Further, Bean died of an apparent overdose and the
authorities were not certain whether the death was a suicide or an accident. Teddy is
tearful, saying that and his family would like to know what was going on with his father
because it might help them cope with his death to know the truth. The would like copies
of Dr. Mola’s treatment records. He also states that his lawyer needs copies of the
records within a day or two.
8. A Case for Standard VI.B – Confidentiality of Records
Dr. Baldy, after many years of a lucrative forensic psychology practice, has decided to
take a yearlong sabbatical. He and his wife, an art historian, will live in Thailand where
he will study at the Thai Clinic while she examines gravestones around the South
Asia. Before leaving, Dr. Baldy arranged for the transfer of all confidential records to a
secure storage unit and gave the keys to his office partner, Dr. Pawo. Months into the
sabbatical year, a letter arrived for Dr. Baldy, care of Dr. Pawo. The correspondence
with appropriate signed release of information requested records for an ex-patient. Dr.
Pawo, with storage locker key in hand, went to retrieve the record. Upon arriving to the
storage unit, Dr. Pawi found that his key did not work. The storage center manager
said that the contents of the storage units were auctioned off last month. City
ordinance allows storage facilities to auction off the contents of any storage unit for
which payment has not been received for 45 days. Apparently the electronic payment
didn’t go through because the credit card had expired and no new renewal date was
provided to the storage facility. In addition, the purchaser’s identity and contact
information are, by law and by policy of the storage center, confidential and
unavailable.
9. A Case for Standard VI.C – Withholding Client Records
Megan has been in outpatient psychotherapy with Dr. Texas for the past 2 years. Megan
is a 35 year old white female living her parents. She has reported a long history of
bipolar episodes since age 21. Megan’s relationship with Dr. Texas has been
tempestuous with many terminated and restarted therapy sessions, missed and
rescheduled appointments, frequent complaints about Dr. Texas’ rates and her bill, and
repeated demands to see records of treatment. Megan’s treatment bill has been unpaid
for the past 6 months. Each time Dr. Texas discuss the unpaid bill with her, Megan
cancels her next appointment. Megan then repeatedly phoned the office billing staff to
complain. Dr. Texas finally instructed the office staff to refer Mega to her and not to
respond to anything pertaining to Megan’s case. The correspondence in regards to
Megan’s case then was sent only to Dr. Texas and was no longer handled by front office
staff.
Upon returning from a 2 week long vacation, Dr. Texas found a voice mail and a letter
with a signed release for Megan’s records from the local hospital. Megan had made a
serious suicide attempt and had been hospitalized.
10. A Case for Standard VI.D – Fees and Financial Arrangements
Dr. Sins opens an envelope from Klent, an ex-patient whose account is overdue.
Expecting a payment, Dr. Ellis was unprepared for a complaint letter with a
demand for a cease and desist order for further attempts to collect unpaid fees.
At the time of treatment with Dr. Sins, Klent worked in the position of a group
home attendant for a mental health residential facility. Part of the job payment
was room and board for Klent to live in the group home with the patients. Klent
claimed that Dr. Sins has breached confidentiality by sending his fee statement
to Klent’s previous place of employment, where the person who took over his
position opened the mail. The fee statement contained Dr. Sins’ office name,
Klent’s DSM-5 diagnostic code, the dates of service, and fees owed. Klent
threatened to report Dr. Sins to the psychology disciplinary board if Dr. Sins
attempted any subsequent contact. On review of records, Klent had signed a
fee agreement for Dr. Sins to provide Klent with monthly financial statements
instead of payment receipts at the home. Klent had not informed Dr. Sins that he
had changed job since ending treatment with Dr. Sins.
11. A Case for Standard VI.D – Fees and Financial Arrangements
At the recommendation of other members of the local chamber of commerce
and in keeping with practices of other services organizations in town, Dr. Junel
offered an introductory six-session treatment package. This package entails six
50-minute outpatient psychotherapy sessions for 5000 pesos paid at the
beginning of the first session or a traditional fee for service paid at 1000 pesos
per session.
