Ethics and Confidentiality
Psychologists are bound to a Code of Ethics, which clearly places the duty for the protection of patients/ clients privacy and confidentiality.
Strive to provide the highest quality of services and maintain diligent attention to the ethical ramifications of work and adhere to respective professional Code of Ethics. Maintaining high ethical standards as a way to improve outcomes for clients and ensure they have positive experiences in therapy, feeling respected, feeling heard and feeling fairly treated.
Ethical Principles:
- Autonomy – Respecting freedom of choice and self determination
- Self respect – Personal and professional development and self care
- Fidelity – faithfulness or honouring commitments
- Justice – Fair
- Beneficence – Doing good and preventing harm, promoting client’s well-being
Requests from third parties will be treated in a way that respects confidentiality and privacy.
Consent by the patient/ client is normally obtained, and they will at all times be advised of any proposed disclosure.
Any information cannot be disclosed without written permission from the client. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself, will make every effort to enlist their safety.