The Practice of Clinical Psychology

Answer the following questions. Your response to each question must be at least 150 words in length.

1. What are at least two legal issues associated with clinical psychology? Provide an example of a situation that could be legal but unethical. Explain your response.
Two legal issues associated with clinical psychology include maintaining records and avoid inappropriate dual relationships. An example of a situation that could be legal but unethical would be for a clinical psychologist to engage in a personal or romantic relationship with a former or current patient.

2. What are at least two ethical issues associated with clinical psychology? Provide an example of a situation that could be ethical but illegal. Explain your response.
An example of an ethical issue associated with clinical psychology is insurance/fee misbehavior.

3. Define professional boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations. What effects do boundaries have on the therapeutic relationship?
Professional boundaries are specific outlines or guidelines between a professional, such as a psychologist who assesses and treats patients and/or clients, or formal clients on a professional level only (The Australian Psychological Society, 2004).

4. What are at least two cultural limitations associated with assessment and treatment? In your response, discuss the use or misuse of assessment instruments, therapy techniques, research results, or any other facet of clinical practice that could have potentially harmful, culture-specific implications.
Two cultural limitations associated with assessment and treatment barriers between communication concerning the psychologist and the client, and differences in backgrounds, race, or religion.