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Counseling and Psychological Services
Hudson Health Center, 3rd Floor
1 Ohio University Dr.
Athens, OH 45701
740-593-0091

Section 7.3 Ethics

Policy No. 3.01 Ethical and Professional Guidelines/Standards:

All clinicians-in-training will be provided with copies of the Ohio Revised Code and their respective profession’s ethical guidelines and standards.

Procedures:

  • GAs and Trainees in Clinical Psychology are expected to adhere to the Ohio Revised Code and ethical guidelines and standards outlined by the American Psychological Association.
  • GAs and Trainees in Counselor Education are expected to adhere to the Ohio Revised Code and ethical guidelines and standards outlined by the American Counseling Association.
  • Trainees in Social Work are expected to adhere to the Ohio Revised Code and ethical guidelines and standards outlines by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
  • Health Service Psychology Doctoral Interns are expected to adhere to the Ohio Revised Code and ethical guidelines and standards outlined by the American Psychological Association.

Policy No. 3.02 Supervision Disclosure:

Any individual receiving supervision for their clinical work must review the Supervisory Disclosure Form with all clients.

Procedures:

  • During IC&R appointments and Drop-In/Emergency appointments, clinicians-in-training must verbally review their supervisory status with clients and receive verbal consent from clients to continue the session.
  • The Supervisory Disclosure Form must be emailed to clients that clinician-in-training has a First Session with the day of the appointment. If client has not filled out and faxed the form prior to appointment, the clinician-in-training will have a hardcopy available for client to sign (during in-person appointment) or will have client fill out and fax supervisory disclosure form during session (during telehealth appointment). Clinicians-in-training are also responsible for verbally reviewing the supervisory disclosure form with their client during the First Session appointment.
  • A clinician-in-training may have two supervisors listed on the form if the direct supervisor is under umbrella supervision (e.g., doctoral psychology intern, unlicensed senior staff member, etc.)
  • Clinicians-in-training must offer a copy of this form to all clients.

Policy No. 3.03 Trainee Self-Disclosure:

Opportunities for personal exploration and reflection occur throughout the year, given the training program’s goal to prepare effective mental health professionals with a consolidated professional identity.

Procedures:

  • When appropriate, clinicians-in-training are encouraged – but not required – to explore historical influences and personal information which may affect subsequent clinical practice.
  • Self-disclosure in supervision is for the purpose of providing the best possible services to clients and fostering the clinician-in-training’s development as a therapist. As such, these behaviors are consistent with the responsible and ethical practice of the specific mental health practitioner’s field.
  • The protection from being required to share information is in accordance with:
    • The American Psychological Association’s 2002 Code of Ethics Ethical Standard 7.04 (Student Disclosure of Personal Information) (APA, 2002)
    • The American Counseling Association’s 2014 Code of Ethics Section F (ACA, 2014)
    • The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics Standard 3.01 (NASW, 2021)

Policy No. 3.04 Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking:

For purposes of this policy, "sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking" includes sexual harassment and sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence, and stalking. These behaviors are prohibited as unlawful discriminatory conduct under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 4112.02 of the Revised Code, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 ("VAWA"), and the Campus Sexual Assault Elimination Act ("Campus SaVE Act"). Any clinician-in-training who is found to be in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action (see Section A8), and any clinician-in-training who is impacted by these issues may seek support through University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance

Procedures:

Policy No. 3.05 Trainee/Staff Relationships:

Senior staff must conduct themselves appropriately and professionally with clinicians-in-training, keeping in mind the APA Ethics Code, ACA Ethics Code, NASW Code of Ethics, and Ohio state law.

Procedures:

  • Any opportunity for training should be offered to all equivalent level clinicians-in-training and should be routed through the TD/ADT before arrangements are made.
  • Likewise, invitations for social events should attempt to include all members of a training cohort. Senior staff should not socialize individually with clinicians-in-training.
  • Staff should avoid interact with clinicians-in-training in situations where alcohol is being consumed outside of a CPS-supported event (e.g., potluck), or there is a monetary exchange between staff and clinicians-in-training of any kind. In cases where alcohol is being consumed with staff and clinicians-in-training, all are expected to drink responsibly.
  • Given the potential for harm, staff are to refrain from entering into a multiple relationship with a clinician-in-training at CPS (e.g., dating or intimate relationship, business relationship, etc.).