Professional Conduct in Psychology

Professional Conduct in Psychology
Professional Conduct in
Psychology
Jason Go
SPARK Review Center
Overview
• Psychology as a profession
• Legal basis of the profession
• Continuing Professional Development
• PAP Code of Ethics
• PAP Position papers
PSYCHOLOGY AS A PROFESSION
Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 1

Key Terms
• Psychology
• Profession
• Professional
• Roles vs. Functions
Psychology
Humanity’s
attempt to
understand the
self
(Leahey, 2013)
Leahey, T. H. (2013). A history of psychology: from antiquity to modernity. Boston: Pearson.
Psychology
Humanity’s
attempt to
problematize the
self
(Tiangco, 2008)
Tiangco, J. A. N. Z. (2008). The way of psychology: nothingness and relatedness in the intellectual
history of psychology. Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Central Books.

Undergraduate Psychology?
The favorite:
Study of human
mind and
behavior
Commonsense Psychology?
Natural capacity
of a person to
understand
others.
What the Law tells us?

The scientific study of human behavior
and mental processes. It involves the
application of scientific methods to
inquire into the biological, cognitive,
affective, developmental, personality,
social, cultural, and individual
difference dimensions of human
behavior (IRR-RA10029, 2012).

WHAT MAKES PSYCHOLOGY A

PROFESSION?
Common Definition of
“Professional”
• Amateur vs. Professional
• Part-time vs. Full-time
• Low paying vs. High Paying Job
• Novice vs. Expert
Flexner, A. (2001). Is social work a profession? Research on Social Work Practice, 11(2), 152–165.
Criteria of a Profession
• Must be scientific,with well-defined and
well-organized body of specialized
knowledge.
• Must have clear standard of educational
preparation.
• Must apply its body of knowledge to
practical services vital to human welfare.
Brint, S., & Brint, S. G. (1996). In an age of experts: The changing role of professionals in politics and
public life. Princeton University Press.
Shepard, W. P. (1948). The professionalization of public health. American Journal of Public Health
and the Nations Health, 38(1_Pt_2), 145–153.

• Must have a code of ethics, specific
culture, norms, and values.
• Must function autonomously in
formulation of policies and in monitoring
its practice and practitioners.
• Must continuously developing.
Brint, S., & Brint, S. G. (1996). In an age of experts: The changing role of professionals in politics and
public life. Princeton University Press.
Shepard, W. P. (1948). The professionalization of public health. American Journal of Public Health
and the Nations Health, 38(1_Pt_2), 145–153.
• APO and Legal Status
• Code of ethics
• Continuously developing
• Educational preparation
• Scientific body of knowledge
• Services are vital
APO AND LEGAL STATUS

History of Psych Law

• 1982 – First attempt as a reaction to
Psychiatry Bill
• Parliamentary Bill No. 2996 = An act to
regulate the practice of psychology in the
Philippines and for other purposes
– Endorsed by PAP president Bulatao
– Function of psychologists same with RA
10029
– Bill not passed

• 1988 – House Bill No. 5871, same title
– Included training and research in regulation
– Included counseling and psychotherapy
directed to deviant behaviors which are not
organically caused
– New terms: “licensed psychologists” and
“certified psychometricians”
– Not passed

• 1996
– HB 8625
• Inclusion of teaching of psychology as psychological
services
• “certified psychometrists”
– HB 6560, same provisions
– HB 1231, same provisions
• 1996-2003
– Lack of change in provision and nomenclature
– No support from PAP


• 2003
– Renewed interest, Dr. Intal and Dr. Bance
were PAP presidents
– “Philippine Clinical Psychology Act of 2003”
– Teaching and research removed
– Psychometrics not included
– Attempts to align in global standards
– Debates were heated

• 2007 = HB 3257
– Philippine Clinical Psychology and
Psychometrics Act of 2007
– Opposition from different sides increased
– Added pressure: Guidance and Counseling Act
of 2005

• HB 3257 was amended to include
suggestions
• Version of Trillanes and Legarda
reconciled with HB 3257 of Cong. Bondoc
• Hence, RA 10029 was born!
• “Philippine Psychology Act of 2009”

Who Can Be Called Professionals?

• Psychologists
• Psychometricians
• Both are acquired
thru licensure
examination
• Exemptions:
Grandfather’s clause
until May 21, 2015
Accredited Professional
Organization
• Psychological
Association of the
Philippines
• Nov 11, 1962
The PAP Mission Statement

• World Class
• Personal Professional Growth
• Humane Services
• Social Transformation

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION &

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Educational Preparation
• CHED Memo No. 38 & 39, Series of 2010
• Outcome-based Education

Psychometricians
• Holds at least a bachelor’s degree in
psychology conferred by a university,
college or school in the Philippines or
abroad recognized/accredited by the
CHED and has obtained sufficient credits
for the subject covered in the examination.
• Sec 13-B, IRR-RA10029
Credits vs. Audit Courses
“NOT Audit
but Credits”
-PRB, June 18, 2014
Psychologists (1/2)
1. Holds at least a master’s degree in
psychology conferred by a university,
college or school in the Philippines or
abroad recognized/accredited by the
CHED and has obtained sufficient credits
for the subjects covered in the
examination. Sec 12-B, IRR-RA10029

Psychologists (2/2)
2. Has undergone a minimum of two
hundred (200) hours of supervised
practicum / internship / clinical
experience related to psychological
services and under the auspices of a
license psychologist or other licensed
mental health professional. Sec 12-C,
IRR-RA10029
Continuing Professional
Development
• Post-Graduate degrees
• Certification, diploma courses
• Seminars, trainings, workshops
• Creations of books, research, etc.
• Emphasis on life long learning
• CURRENT TREND: Shift from formal to
informal learning; from degrees to
certifications

Who’s in charge of CPE?

• Joint effort of PRC and CHED
• Certification of CPD Providers
• Does PAP manages CPE?
– Not at the moment, but maybe soon
– PAP is also a provider
• PRC also aligns CPE credentials with
AQRF
SPECIFIC SCIENTIFIC BODY OF

KNOWLEDGE

vs. Counseling
• Narrow difference with psychologists
• Focus is on clients potential and resolution
of problems.
• Educational and career setting
• Psychopathology => Refer to psychologists
• Assessment => Counselors can do
assessment
vs. Psychiatry
• Psychiatry’s focus is on abnormal behavior
and psychopathology.
• PLUS they can prescribe medications.
• Difference in educational preparation.
vs. Psychiatric Nursing

• Psychiatric nursing focuses on signs,
symptoms, and complaints of clients.
• Serves as case managers in clinical setting.
• May do psychotherapy with proper
training as covered by their own law (RA
9173)

vs. Social Work

• Social work focuses on the process of
integration of clients to the community.
vs. Occupational Therapy

• OT focuses on resumption of activities of
daily living.
• Integration with community by honing
occupational skills.
vs. Coaching
• Coaching focuses on everyday life
concerns that are not clinical in nature.
• Can be specific to certain contexts
– Executive coaching
– Business coaching
– Academic/Student coaching
– Sports science

How about Life Coaching?

• According to RA 10029 = Regulated as
psychological services
• Can be contested depending on the nature
of work
– Is the life coach doing psychotherapy or
simple “professional talk”?
SERVICES VITAL TO HUMAN

WELFARE
Psychological Services
• Psychological Interventions
• Psychological Assessment
• Psychological Programs
• Psychological Evaluation
• Development, standardization, publication
of psychological tests
• Clinical Supervision

How about PFA?

• Psychological First Aid
• Done immediately
following a stressful
event
• Different from CISD
• EXEMPTED from
psychological services
• Can be done by anyone
with proper training
(WHO, 2011)
Roles vs. Functions

Roles Functions
• Psychometrician • Psychological services
• Clinical psychologist • Teaching
• Assessment psychologist • Research
• IO psychologist • Policy making
• Educator, Professor
• Researcher
PAP CODE OF ETHICS

Why the need for ethics code?

• Establishing integrity of profession
• Education and professional socialization
• Public trust
• Enforcement value
What should you possess?

• Awareness
• Commitment
• Decision making skills
How do we decide?
• Ethical Dilemmas
– 2 or more opposing choices
• Ethical Theories
– Can be used to defend a certain choice
• Ethics Code
– Framework and guidelines for decision
making

Ethical Theories (1/2)

• Deontology
– Kantian ethics
– Wrong is wrong whatever the outcome
• Teleology
– Ends justify the means
– “Robinhood ethics”
• Christian Ethics
– “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them
to do to you”
Ethical Theories (2/2)

• Utilitarianism
– Practicality; pragmatic
– General welfare
• Communitarianism
– Community values and traditions
• Feminist ethics
– Focus on care and equality
Case Study #1
• A certain psychometrician is working in a
assessment center who reuse test
materials like answer sheets. They also
photocopy it to save costs. They argue that
by doing this they can lower down the
consultation fee of the patients and help
poor clients.

Case Study #2
• A psychologists is researching about how
touch and physical intimacy affects
commitment in relationship. To do this, he
observes a marital counseling session done by
a 2nd psychologist and note their behaviors
and actions. A battery of tests regarding
relationships and personality were then
administered. He argues that the results of
this research can be used to create
interventions to improve marriage life.
PAP Code of Ethics

• Sets of principles and guidelines
• Principles
– Aspirational
– Serves as moral framework, not enforceable
• Guidelines
– Code of conduct for
psychologists/psychometricians
– Standards and procedures
– Enforceable
PAP CODE OF ETHICS:

PRINCIPLES

Universal Declaration of Ethical

Principles for Psychologists
• International Union of Psychological
Science in Berlin on July 22, 2008
• International Association of Applied
Psychology in Berlin on July 26, 2008
• Four Principles
Principle 1: Respect for the Dignity

of Persons and Peoples
• Respect for unique worth and inherent
dignity
• Respect for autonomy
• Respect for culture
• Right to informed consent
• Right to privacy and confidentiality
• Right to justice
Principle 2: Competent Caring for the

Well-Being of Persons and Peoples
• Beneficence = Do Good
• Maleficence = Avoid Harm

Principle 3: Integrity
• Honesty
• Truthfulness
• Open and accurate communication
• Not exploiting persons or peoples for
personal, professional, or financial gain
Principle 4: Professional and Scientific

Responsibilities to Society
• Commitment to the criteria of profession
• Remember ACCESS?
PAP CODE OF ETHICS:

GUIDELINES

General Ethical Standards

1. Resolving Ethical Issues
2. Competencies
3. Human Relations
4. Confidentiality
5. Advertisements and Public Statements
6. Records and Fees
Specific Ethical Standards

7. Assessment
8. Therapy
9. Education and Training
10.Research
Ethical or not?
• A psychometrician refused to follow his
supervisor because the law states
otherwise.
• A psychologist posted online his grievance
towards another psychologist

1. Resolving Ethical Issues

• Deal with misuse and misrepresentation
• Adhere to ethics code and related laws
• Conflicts between Ethics and
Organizational Demands
– Inform the organization about the ethics code
– Principle of conscientious objection
• Informal resolution by talking with the
person involved
• Proper reporting and filing of complaints
Ethical or not?
• A psychologist allows his masters students to do
psychotherapy when he is absent.
• A psychometrician discusses topics about suicide
to a suicidal client.
• A psychologist is not knowledgeable about CISD
but knows to do psychological counseling in
disaster related cases. He still did the therapy as
requested by municipal health officer after the
earthquake.
• The psychometrician endorsed her unfinished
assessment battery to another psychometrican
because she will be resigning asap.
2. Competencies
• Service within the bounds of our educational
and/or professional preparation
– Except in emergency cases
• Continuing Professional Development
• When delegating work
– Delegate to competent persons
– Avoid multiple relationship
• Know your limits! Personal Problems vs.
work

2. Competencies
• Regarding emerging areas of interests
– LGBT
– Disaster management
– Cognitive neuroscience
• Caution about forensic psychology
– Know the law
– Know the judicial/administrative rules
– Standards in the Philippines? None.
– Certification in Forensic Psychology? To whose
standards? None yet. Some university initiatives
only.
Ethical or not?
• The psychometrician devotes shorter time to
“charity clients” so he can assess a lot more
clients.
• You were tasked to assess a client who
happens to be the boyfriend of your sister.
• You were asked by a previous client for a
coffee date.
• Your facility is known for a Christian-based
therapy framework. The psychologist screen
non-Christian clients out of the program.
3. Human Relations
• No unfair discrimination
– Remember adverse impact in recruitment?
• No Harrassment, No Exploitation
• Avoid harm
• Multiple relationship
– A professional has another role/acquaintance in
the life of a client
– Refrain if professionalism is impaired
• Conflict of interest => refrain from doing the
task

Focus on Informed Consent
Ethical or not?
• The nurse is asking you about the results of
the psychological tests you did with your
client.
• The client’s files were saved in a laptop.
• The client’s session will be recorded for a case
presentation.
• You accepted a monetary tip from the
relatives.
• You have a “sliding scale” fee for clients who
can pay and those who are on tight budget.
4. Confidentiality
• Maintain confidentiality
• Explain limitations and risks
• Ask permission regarding recording
• Proper disclosures of information

5. Advertisements and Public

Statements
• No false, fraudulent, and deceptive
statements about yourself
• Guidelines about public statements
• No testimonials from previous clients
especially those who are vulnerable and at
risks!
6. Records and Fees

• Accurate records keeping
• No withholding of documents because of
unpaid bills
• Maintain confidentiality
• Accurate billing and payments
• Salary grade not defined by RA10029
– Professionals can charge based on their
expertise and current market standards
6. Records and Fees

• Some estimates
– Psychotherapy: Php 1,000-5000/hr or session
– Assessment: Php 7,000-15,000/battery inclusive of
psychological reports and feedback
– Test development: based on royalties, can go as
high as hundreds of thousands
– Academic teaching: Php 15,000-40,000/month,
depending on the rank and institution
– Speaker/seminar/training: Php 15K-50K/session
or package, can go as high as 100K
– Organizational development services: can go as
high as Php 50K-100K
– Researcher: pro bono, minimal stipend, highly
dependent on grants

Ethical or not?
• A former client asks you his test results and forms that
were used previously. He will endorse that to his new
psychiatrist for history taking.
• You improved the outdated personality inventory to be
used in your organizational development programs.
• You refrain from talking about the results of the test to
your clients.
• You discuss with your colleagues about your client’s
result during lunch time.
• You told your boyfriend about the diagnosis of a
former TV Actress who consulted your clinic.
• You referred your bisexual client to another
psychometrician because you feel biased about men
having sex with men.
7. Assessment
• Follow proper test administration
• Informed consent needed except when:
– Mandated by law
– Routine educational and institutional activity
– Purpose is to determine client’s decisional
capacity
• Don’t use outdated and obsolete tests
• Do not release test protocols, notes, and
forms
• Explain test results to parties involved
• Explain results to relatives using non-
technical terms
8. Therapy
• Maintain competence and confidentiality
• Provide informed consent
• Explain procedures/techniques especially
those that are newly established
• Discuss with client if therapist is still
undergoing training
• Therapist => physically, mentally, and
emotionally fit
• Appropriate termination of therapeutic
relationship

9. Education and Training

• Necessary qualifications to teach
• Current and accurate description of
educational programs and trainings
– CHED Memo 38 & 39
– IRR RA10029
– TOS-BLEPP
• Maintain guidelines about human
relations and multiple relationships
10. Research
• Ensure Informed Consent
• Follow appropriate research process
• Refrain from using Deception unless its
justified
• Provide debriefing to participants
– Qualitative studies = member checking is very
important!
• Humane care and use of animals in research
• NO fabrication of data, NO plagiarism!
• Give proper credits to authors and co-authors
of publication.

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Professional Conduct in Psychology

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 1

Leahey, T. H. (2013). A history of psychology: from antiquity to modernity. Boston: Pearson.

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 2

What the Law tells us?

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 3

WHAT MAKES PSYCHOLOGY A

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 4

APO AND LEGAL STATUS

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 5

History of Psych Law

History of Psych Law

History of Psych Law

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 6

History of Psych Law

History of Psych Law

History of Psych Law

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 7

Who Can Be Called Professionals?

The PAP Mission Statement

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 8

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION &

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 9

Credits vs. Audit Courses

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 10

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 11

Who’s in charge of CPE?

SPECIFIC SCIENTIFIC BODY OF

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 12

vs. Psychiatric Nursing

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 13

vs. Social Work

vs. Occupational Therapy

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 14

How about Life Coaching?

SERVICES VITAL TO HUMAN

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 15

How about PFA?

Roles vs. Functions

PAP CODE OF ETHICS

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 16

Why the need for ethics code?

What should you possess?

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 17

Ethical Theories (1/2)

Ethical Theories (2/2)

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 18

PAP Code of Ethics

PAP CODE OF ETHICS:

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 19

Universal Declaration of Ethical

Principle 1: Respect for the Dignity

Principle 2: Competent Caring for the

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 20

Principle 4: Professional and Scientific

PAP CODE OF ETHICS:

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 21

General Ethical Standards

Specific Ethical Standards

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 22

1. Resolving Ethical Issues

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 23

Copyright 2016 – SPARK Review center 24

Focus on Informed Consent