Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Informed Consent
to Therapy
1. When obtaining informed consent
to therapy as required in
§1307. J of this
Chapter, psychologists inform clients/patients as early as is feasible in the
therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course of therapy,
fees, involvement of third parties and limits of confidentiality and provide
sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive
answers.
2. When obtaining informed
consent for treatment for which generally recognized techniques and procedures
have not been established, psychologists inform their clients/patients of the
developing nature of the treatment, the potential risks involved, alternative
treatments that may be available and the voluntary nature of their
participation.
3. When the
therapist is a trainee and the legal responsibility for the treatment provided
resides with the supervisor, the client/patient, as part of the informed
consent procedure, is informed that the therapist is in training and is being
supervised and is given the name of the supervisor.
B. Therapy Involving Couples or Families
1. When psychologists agree to provide
services to several persons who have a relationship (such as spouses,
significant others, or parents and children), they take reasonable steps to
clarify at the outset:
a. which of the
individuals are clients/patients; and
b. the relationship the psychologist will
have with each person. This clarification includes the psychologist's role and
the probable uses of the services provided or the information
obtained.
2. If it
becomes apparent that psychologists may be called on to perform potentially
conflicting roles (such as family therapist and then witness for one party in
divorce proceedings), psychologists take reasonable steps to clarify and
modify, or withdraw from, roles appropriately.
C. Group Therapy. When psychologists provide
services to several persons in a group setting, they describe at the outset the
roles and responsibilities of all parties and the limits of
confidentiality.
D. Providing
Therapy to those Served by Others. In deciding whether to offer or provide
services to those already receiving mental health services elsewhere,
psychologists carefully consider the treatment issues and the potential
client's/patient's welfare. Psychologists discuss these issues with the
client/patient or another legally authorized person on behalf of the
client/patient in order to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict, consult
with the other service providers when appropriate, and proceed with caution and
sensitivity to the therapeutic issues.
E. Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy
Clients/Patients. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current
therapy clients/patients.
F. Sexual
Intimacies with Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy
Clients/Patients. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with
individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others
of current clients/patients. Psychologists do not terminate therapy to
circumvent this standard.
G.
Therapy with Former Sexual Partners. Psychologists do not accept as therapy
clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual
intimacies.
H. Sexual Intimacies
with Former Therapy Clients/Patients
1.
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients
for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.
2. Psychologists do not engage in sexual
intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except
in the most unusual circumstances. Psychologists who engage in such activity
after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having
no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of
demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant
factors, including:
a. the amount of time
that has passed since therapy terminated;
b. the nature, duration, and intensity of the
therapy;
c. the circumstances of
termination;
d. the
client's/patient's personal history;
e. the client's/patient's current mental
status;
f. the likelihood of
adverse impact on the client/patient; and
g. any statements or actions made by the
therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility
of a post-termination sexual or romantic relationship with the
client/patient.
I. Interruption of Therapy. When entering
into employment or contractual relationships, psychologists make reasonable
efforts to provide for orderly and appropriate resolution of responsibility for
client/patient care in the event that the employment or contractual
relationship ends, with paramount consideration given to the welfare of the
client/patient.
J. Terminating
Therapy
1. Psychologists terminate therapy
when it becomes reasonably clear that the client/patient no longer needs the
service, is not likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued
service.
2. Psychologists may
terminate therapy when threatened or otherwise endangered by the client/patient
or another person with whom the client/patient has a relationship.
3. Except where precluded by the actions of
clients/patients or third-party payors, prior to termination psychologists
provide pre-termination counseling and suggest alternative service providers as
appropriate.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
37:2353.
