FGCU Patient Confidentiality in Washington State Discussion Post
I don’t know how to handle this Psychology question and need guidance.
Below are the instructions needed for the discussion post
Informed Consent
Describe only the limits of confidentiality as required by your state laws (Washington State). How do these compare to the requirements of the APA ethics code? How would you explain these to future clients in words they can understand?
Support your discussion with specifics and at least one scholarly citation.
Must be at least 300 words.
Respond to the below discussion posts. Each response must be 180 word minimum and be supported by one scholarly citation. For the first post please include how the limits of confidentiality are different or the same in your two states. (Washington and Texas)
1. I live in Texas, where I intend to be licensed as a Clinical Psychologist. In the APA Code of Ethics (American Psychological Association, 2017), confidentiality is discussed as a series of general principles that may also be supplemented with state-by-state rules. The most significant of state-specific confidentiality parameters is in regards to Tarisoff; Texas mental healthcare providers do not have a duty to inform/protect their clients’ known and intended victims, and may choose to inform them only if they are medical or law enforcement personnel (Barbee, et al., 2018). The client’s confidentiality is otherwise protected, even when there are individuals known by the mental health professional to be at risk of harm. This does not apply when there is suspected child abuse (Barbee, et al., 2018). In the APA Code of Conduct section 4.05(b), it states that consent of the individual to reveal private information is required “only as mandated by law or where permitted by law… to protect others from harm,” (American Psychological Association, 2013) so it is made clear that although potential danger is a valid reason for breach of confidentiality, the state’s law supersedes. In Texas, this goes so far as to conceal the names and other identifiers of persons mentioned in the notes for one client if they were to breach privacy of another when released to other practitioners (Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 2020).
Informing clients of their rights to confidentiality entails a layman’s-term explanation of their right to know if they’re being recorded, to have their identity concealed for the purpose of case discussion, to give consent before any other specialists are consulted, and to know that if email or teletherapy services are accessed there is always a minor risk (American Psychological Association, 2013). Ultimately, the client’s privacy is priority. Without confidentiality and assurance that one’s most personal and painful of thoughts are concealed, the practice of psychology would not be as effective. To best serve those in need of mental healthcare, we are able to offer as practitioners the reassurance that even with a subpoena, as much of their disclosed information is protected as possible through negotiation or motion for a protective order (American Psychological Association, 2016). The few limits do not come close to outweighing the dedication to privacy all licensed mental healthcare providers adhere to.
2. I have some experience with different psychotherapies. My background in in biopsychology but I work as a social worker. In my work experience I have worked with families that are involved with the Department of Human Services and have confirmed or founded cases of child abuse. I assist families with different techniques to use to help make the families more successful and better able to cope with the stressers in their lives.
I found the video “Getting it Together?” very informative and full of lots of great information. It is amazing to see how far the field of psychology has come and what advances are being made. The video did a good job with explaining the behavioral approach and the steps that are involved such as modeling the behavior that is wanted and developing manageable tasks for the client to perform. One fact that suprised me was that certian medications can actually assist with regenerating neurons. I also liked how the video stated that “people are not all the same”. I feel this is important to remember with working with people in general. What works for one person may not work at all for the next. It is important to work with an individual to find out how to best assist them so they can have the best results (Beaty, 2006).
I am most drawn to B. F. Skinner’s approach. I think this is because this is the style I am most familiar with. I have used and taught operant conditioning techniques for many years. I have used this with parents and I have also used operant conditioning in residental settings (Capella, 2020).
