psych assessment review

Media Presentations

• When providing public advice or comments through various media, ensure that statements are:
• Based on professional knowledge, training, or experience
• Consistent with the Code of Ethics
• Not indicative of a professional relationship with the recipient

Testimonials

• Do not ask for testimonials from current or past clients, their legal representatives, or other persons

Records and Fees

• Create records and data relating to professional and scientific work to:
• Facilitate provision of services
• Allow for replication and evaluation of research
• Meet institutional requirements
• Ensure accuracy of billing and payments
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws
• Maintain confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and disposing of records in whatever form or media

Test-Related Behavior

• Test-related behavior predicts non-test related behavior
• Overt behavior can be a predictor of covert behavior
• Objective tests provide an indication of other aspects of the examinee's behavior
• Tasks in some tests mimic actual behaviors that the test user is attempting to understand
• There are behaviors not completely related to the exam that can show up

Test Development and Administration

• Tests have strength and weaknesses
• Consider how a test was developed, the circumstances under which it is appropriate to administer, and how to interpret results
• One test does not fit all; a battery of tests is often necessary
• Various sources of error are part of the assessment process, including error variance
• Error variance refers to the component of a test score attributable to sources other than the trait or ability measured

Professional Services

• Announcements for professional services may include:
• Name
• Highest relevant academic degrees earned
• Certification status
• Address
• Contact numbers
• Office hours
• A brief listing of the type of psychological services or programs offered
• Ensure that all spoken, written, printed communications, social media postings, or electronic transmissions do not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements
• Claim degrees as credentials for psychological services only if they were earned from recognized educational programs/institutions or accredited foreign educational programs/institutions

Public Statements

• Use language that conveys respect for the dignity of persons, peoples, and others
• Avoid making malicious or ill-intentioned remarks, especially through social media
• Communicate as accurately and objectively as possible
• Clearly distinguish facts, opinions, theories, hypotheses, and ideas when conveying knowledge

Informed Consent in Assessment

• Gather informed consent prior to the assessment of clients, except in certain situations
• Educate clients about the nature of services, financial arrangements, potential risks, and limits of confidentiality
• Discuss matters with immediate family members or legal guardians when clients are not competent to provide informed consent

Assessment Tools

• Judiciously select and administer only those tests which are pertinent to the reasons for referral and purpose of the assessment
• Carefully assess the appropriateness of the referral, benefits of the referral to the client, and the adequacy of client's consent for referral

Termination

• Terminate therapy when:
• The client no longer needs the therapy
• The client is not likely to benefit from therapy
• The client would be harmed by continued therapy
• Provide pretermination counseling and make reasonable efforts to arrange for an orderly and appropriate referral
• Can also terminate therapy when there is reasonable evidence that there is imminent risk of being harmed by the client or when the client does not comply with the contract

Education and Training

• Take reasonable steps to ensure that education and training programs are designed to:
• Provide the appropriate knowledge and proper experiences
• Meet the requirements for licensure, certification, or other goals for which claims are made by the program