6.B.2
Seeking consultation on ethics and competence
Énoncé de compétence 6.B.2 d’ASPPB : Seek professional consultation when appropriate on ethical issues, including questions about one’s own professional competence in a specific area of practice
Consultation brings outside knowledge and objectivity when a psychologist is unsure what the codes or the law require, notices a personal reaction affecting a case, or doubts their competence for a task. The APA Ethics Code encourages consulting others within the field and sets rules for doing it, and the CPA Code links competence with self-knowledge. Consultation informs a decision; responsibility for the choice and its consequences stays with the psychologist.
Notions clés
- When to consult
- Common triggers include uncertainty about a standard or law, a possible multiple relationship, strong feelings toward a client, a case at the edge of one's training, and personal problems that may affect work, where Standard 2.06(b) names consultation as an appropriate measure.
- Protecting the client
- Standard 4.06: when consulting, do not disclose information that could reasonably identify a client unless the client consents or the disclosure cannot be avoided, and share only what the purpose of the consultation needs.
- Choosing a consultant
- Match the consultant to the question: a colleague experienced in the clinical area, an ethics resource for a dilemma, a lawyer for what a law requires. Principle B asks psychologists to consult with other professionals as needed to serve those they work with.
- Limits of self-assessment
- Self-appraisal alone is unreliable. In a survey of mental health professionals, a quarter rated their skills at the 90th percentile of their peers, none rated themselves below average, and as a group they overestimated client improvement (Walfish and colleagues, 2012).
- Responsibility stays
- A consultant's view is advice, not permission. The CPA Code's decision process ends with the psychologist acting, evaluating the results and assuming responsibility for the consequences, whatever colleagues advised.
Exemple commenté
Eight months after a client of hers died by suicide, a psychologist notices that with a new client who has a history of self-harm she keeps steering away from questions about current suicidal thoughts. She knows of no warning sign she has missed, but the pattern worries her.
- Name the trigger: a personal reaction may be limiting a core clinical task, which under Standard 2.06(b) calls for measures such as consultation.
- Pick consultants with the right expertise: a colleague experienced in suicide risk assessment for the clinical question, and help of her own for the grief if she needs it.
- Share only what the consultation needs, without identifying the client, as Standard 4.06 requires.
- Weigh the advice and decide: for example, a structured risk assessment at each session, case review with the consultant for a period, and a judgment about whether to limit new high-risk referrals for now.
Consult early, protect the client's identity, and own the decision.
Vérifiez vos acquis
A psychologist consults a colleague about a client without the client's consent. Under APA Standard 4.06, what is required?
Sources
- American Psychological Association (2017), Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Introduction and Applicability (consulting with others within the field); Principle B; Standards 2.06 and 4.06
- Canadian Psychological Association (2017), Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists, Fourth Edition, Principle II, Responsible Caring, value Competence and Self-Knowledge; Ethical Decision-Making Process
- Walfish, McAlister, O'Donnell and Lambert (2012), An investigation of self-assessment bias in mental health providers, Psychological Reports 110(2), 639-644 (PMID 22662416), Abstract: 25% placed themselves at the 90th percentile, none below average; overestimated improvement and underestimated deterioration