Counseling Ethics: Client Consent and Parent Involvement

10 Questions

What is the primary goal of clinical assessments?

To aid the understanding of the person's current level of psychosocial functioning

What is the term for evidence that a treatment has been shown to work under research conditions that emphasized internal validity?

Efficacy

What is the term for characteristics of an individual or their life circumstances that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder?

Risk factors

What is the purpose of clinical consultation?

To provide information, advice, and recommendations about how to assess, understand, or treat a client

What is the term for evidence that a treatment has been shown to work in real-world conditions?

Effectiveness

What is the purpose of organizational consultation?

To develop a prevention or intervention program, evaluate an organization, or provide an opinion on policies

What is the term for individual or environmental characteristics that lessen the likelihood of developing a disease or disorder?

Protective factors

What is the primary method used by clinical psychologists to assess patients?

Combining data from multiple assessment methods

What is the goal of assessing risk factors and protective factors?

To understand the likelihood of developing a disorder

What is the primary focus of clinical assessments in psychopathology?

To understand the person's current level of psychosocial functioning

Study Notes

Working with Clients and Parents

Involving parents in the therapeutic process can be beneficial, but obtaining consent from the client is crucial.
Educating parents about their child's situation can lead to a positive outcome, indicated by a decrease in angry phone calls and the child's improvement in symptoms.

Historical Background of Clinical Psychology

In ancient Greece (500-300 BC), mental disorders were believed to be caused by natural causes.
Hippocrates introduced the biopsychosocial and bodily fluid theory, which included the concept of four humors.
Plato and Aristotle contributed to the understanding of mental disorders, with Plato focusing on societal forces and psychological needs, and Aristotle emphasizing biological determinants.

Early Treatment Approaches

In the past, the family was responsible for caring for individuals with mental disorders.
Heroic treatments, such as bloodletting, purging, and immersion in cold water, were used to treat mental health issues.
The Enlightenment period saw the emergence of moral treatment reform, which emphasized compassion, patience, and a non-punitive approach.

Clinical Psychology Today

Clinical psychology is grounded in scientifically supported theories and principles.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of individuals with mental disorders.
Clinical psychologists gather evidence to inform healthcare services and develop evidence-based practices.

Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice involves synthesizing information from research, systematic assessment, and professional experience to inform decision-making.
The four principles guiding clinical psychologists' thinking include:
- Non-maleficence: do no harm
- Efficacy: evidence that a treatment is effective in research conditions
- Effectiveness: evidence that a treatment is effective in real-world conditions

Assessment and Consultation

Clinical psychologists combine data from various assessment methods, such as interviews, self-report measures, and observations, to understand a client's psychosocial functioning.
Risk factors are characteristics that increase the likelihood of developing a disorder, while protective factors reduce the likelihood.
Clinical consultation involves providing information and advice on assessing, understanding, or treating a client, while organizational consultation focuses on developing prevention or intervention programs for organizations.