Starting and Building a 21st

Century Private Practice

Ethics and Private PracticeJanet T. Thomas, Psy.D., L.P.

348 Prior Avenue North, Suite 201Saint Paul, MN 55014

www.janettthomas.com

Minnesota Psychological AssociationSaint Paul, MinnesotaSeptember 18, 2015

Guidelines for Maintaining Ethical Practice

Good news and the bad news about private practice

Context for my comments

Overview

Maintain Competence in Your Areas of Practice

• Subscribe to journals

• Attend workshops and seminars

• Join listservs

• Maintain membership in professional associations

Operate within Your Capacity

• Objectively assess your strengths and limitations.

• Carefully screen prospective clients.

• Be willing to say “No.

Maintain Competence in Professional Ethics

Review relevant documents such as:

• Psychology Practice Act (2013)

• APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2010)

• Guidelines relevant to your practice (e.g., depression, eating disorders, the 2015 APA guidelines for working with transgender and gender nonconforming people)

Build in Clinical Consultation

Models of consultation:

• Individual consultation (usually paid)

• Group consultation (paid or unpaid)

• Peer or hired consultation

Consultation or supervision is essential throughout one’s career.

Benefits of Clinical Consultation

Regular exposure to colleague’s theoretical approaches, techniques, and clinical and ethical sensibilities.

Opportunities to expose your work to the scrutiny of others.

Readily available resource for professional and personal support when difficulties arise.

Obtain Specialized Consultation

When you encounter a difficult clinical or ethical dilemma or decision, consider obtaining specialized consultation.

Know When to Seek Consultation

• Subpoena, court order

• Conflict or impasse with a client

• Allegations of unethical behavior

• Departures from standard practice

• Clinical or ethical mistakes

• Mandated reports

• Countertransference

• Emergencies, high risk situations

• Personal problems or circumstances that interfere with effectiveness

Engage in Professional Self-Reflection

• Identify personal issues that may compromise your effectiveness.

• Pay attention to your feelings of apprehension in response to client requests, contemplated actions, etc.

• Imagine that respected colleagues are observing your work.

• Assess how well you are keeping up with your records, billing, etc.

• Regularly assess your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical condition.

Engage in Personal Self-Reflection

• Identify issues and types of clients that are likely to stir up strong feelings.

• Familiarize yourself with the landscape of your individual psyche.

• Assess your physical and psychological wellbeing on an ongoing basis. Modify accordingly.

• Be open to getting your own psychotherapy.

Prioritize Self-Care

• Attend to your nutrition, exercise, sleep.

• Take vacation, days off.

• Balance your personal and professional life.

Enjoy your work