1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 475Professional Ethics in Addictions Counseling1Client’s Rights and Counselor ResponsibilitiesChapter 52Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingClient’s Right to Give Informed Consent3Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInformed Consent• Right of client to be informed about their treatment• Make autonomous decisions about it• Increase chances that the client will become involved and willing participants in treatment4Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingCounselor’s are required to disclose to client’s:•Risks• Benefits• Alternatives to proposed treatment5Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingLegal Aspects of Informed Consent• Three elements are basic to the legal definition:• Capacity• Comprehension of information:• Voluntariness6Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInformed Consent in Practice• Informed consent can be provided in several ways.•Consent Form• Documented discussion27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInformed Consent Forms must include:• a. date of discussion regarding consent• b. client and practitioner names• c. statement of the client's right to withdraw from treatment8Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInformed Consent Forms continued• d. benefits and risks associated with treatment• e. a description of treatment services• f. issues of confidentiality and their limits• g. signature of the client9Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingContent of Informed Consent• Therapeutic Process• Background of the Counselor• Costs Involved in Therapy• Length of Therapy and Termination10Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingContent of Informed Consent continued• Consultation with Colleagues• Client’s Right of Access to Their Files• Rights Pertaining to Diagnostic Labeling• Nature and Purpose of Confidentiality11Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingContent of Informed Consent continued• Benefits and Risks of Treatment• Alternatives to Traditional Therapy• Tape-recording or Videotaping Sessions12Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingCounselors Responsibility in Record Keeping• Maintaining Client Notes has a dual purpose:• 1. Provide the best service possible for clients• 2. Provide a basis for safeguarding the counselors in the event of a lawsuit.313Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingRecord Keeping continued• Critical to document your actions in crisis situations14Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMain objectives to documentation practices are:• a. to structure quality care• b. to decrease liability exposure• c. to fulfill requirements for reimbursement15Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingRemember• “If it is not documented, it did not happen.”16Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSome counselors do not want to keep notes because:• Concerned about violating confidentiality • Don’t want to assume a legalistic stance in their counseling practice• Not enough time to keep notes17Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingAt a minimum, records should contain:• Client-identifying information• Client’s primary care physician• Most recent physical examination results18Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore things records should contain:• Intake sheet• Documentation of a mental health assessment• Signed Informed Consent Form• Diagnosis and prognosis419Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore things records should contain:• Treatment plans• Statements regarding the client’s main issues• Previous and present data from psychological tests20Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore things records should contain:• Documentation of referrals to other providers• Signed and dated progress notes• Types of services provided21Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore things records should contain:• Precise times and dates of appointments• Discharge summary • Release of information22Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingNote• Case notes should NEVER be altered after they have been entered into a client’s records.23Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingRecord storage and shelf life• Must keep records in a secure area.• Must keep records for a minimum of seven years after client has been terminated. 24Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingCounseling Children and Adolescents525Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingThe Right to Treatment• General Rule:• Parent is entitled to general information from the counselor about the child’s progress in counseling.26Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingThe Right to Treatment continued• For a minor to enter into a counseling relationship, it is necessary to have informed parental or guardian consent or for counseling to be court ordered.27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingExceptions:• Minor is seeking counseling for drugs•For STDs• For pregnancy and birth control• For an examination following alleged sexual assault to a minor over the age of 1228Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInformed Consent of Minors29Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSpecialized Training for Counseling Children and Adolescents• It is unethical to practice in areas which one has not been trained.30Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInvoluntary Commitment and Human Rights• Be familiar with State Laws• Use the least restrictive alternative first631Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingInvoluntary civil commitment is based on the following criteria:• Mental illness• Dangerousness to self or others• Disability• Refusal to consent32Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore criteria• Treatability• Incapacity to decide on treatment• Compliance with the “least restrictive”criterion33Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMalpractice Liability in the Helping Professions• Malpractice: the failure to render professional