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1-Collapse SubdiscussionNicole Mulligan

Nicole Mulligan

WednesdayAug 23 at 10:51am

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When it comes to marketing plans, Fisher (2021) lists the do’s and dont’s of a psychologist wanting to put themselves out there for the public. While reading this chapter, for my future career I feel as if I constantly attended lectures and out myself out there then people would gain insight to expertise in psychology. Not only will this help me stay up to date within the psychology field, but it will open doors to be invited to places, work on research topics, and gain a name for myself without breaking any guidelines. I also feel as if I started out in a job working for somebody and then eventually branching off into my own private practice will help me gain a lot of clientele and referrals. When starting out as a private practice, your first step is building your clientele which could be extremely difficult and learning how to market correctly can also be very time consuming. Creating a website with accurate information on your degrees, licenses, and services, I would be able to put myself out there for everyone to see who is searching for a psychologist. When it comes to making a website, it is very important to make sure all data is up to date, there are no false statements, all contact information should be correct, and availability should be listed regarding office hours and contact hours. Websites are a great way to market when done right but if you break a guideline within your website, it can cause an uproar with your ethics committee.

References

Fisher, C. B. (2021). Decoding the Ethics Code (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://capella.vitalsource.com/books/9781544362748Links to an external site.

2-Gina Audiss

WednesdayAug 23 at 2:20pm

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If I was a new counselor, I would probably make a website for my services. It would have a brief biography of myself and my schooling and licensure information as well as the services I provide. I would also include a way to make appointments online. I would make sure that any links or references on my website will be accurate and update it regularly, with no links to any information about other jobs or anything to make sure I am being ethical (Fisher, 2021). I would also make sure to make myself known to the psychological society and go to any conferences or meetings that they hold.

I am not getting my license for counseling. I am getting this degree with a specialization in research so that I can join a psychological lab. In this capacity, I will make sure that any information I post or talk about to the public is accurate and I will work to make sure my credentials are presented appropriately and that all published work is professional and accurate (Fisher, 2021). I would market myself at lectures and meetings that the psychological organizations in my area host in order to get a peer network in this field. I will refrain from using social media or spreading false information through any means.

References:

Fisher, C. B. (2021). Decoding the Ethics Code (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://capella.vitalsource.com/books/9781544362748

3-Nicole Mulligan

WednesdayAug 23 at 10:35am

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When it comes to record keeping, APA (2017) has many guidelines that state that a psychologist is in charge of maintaining, creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and disposing of records whether they are written or automated; if records are held in databases then psychologists will use codes and techniques to avoid any unauthorized personnel from seeing these records; and if a psychologist plans on withdrawing from a practice then the psychologist is responsible for appropriate transfer of records for the client to another therapist. These guidelines help protect the client’s information and also protect the psychologist from violating laws and confidentiality.

In New Jersey, Law and Public Safety (2023) states that licensees must maintain confidentiality by making sure no unauthorized persons see the clients records; if the client’s records were to be legally released then a licensee can withhold certain information if they think it would be best for the client’s welfare; and when it comes to children a licensee does not have to release records to parents or guardians if they feel that it would negatively affect the client.

Comparing the two sets of laws, they are pretty identical but APA has a much more detailed version that New Jersey which could potentially lead to mistakes within the state. Both sets of laws are written clearly and there is an overlap about making sure no unauthorized persons can get ahold of a client’s records. New Jersey should add a more detailed explanation about how to keep unauthorized persons from accessing client records and I also feel as if APA should bring up child clients and what to do with parents and guardians. Digital recordings can break privacy laws due to the fact if they are being listened to, somebody could be listening and you wouldn’t know. Another reason it will break privacy laws is because it is on a recorder or a flash drive that isn’t safe and can be seen by an unauthorized person.

References

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.

Law and Public Safety. (2023). https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chapter-42-Board-of-Psychological-Examiners.pdfLinks to an external site.

4-Gina Audiss

WednesdayAug 23 at 4:05pm

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Record keeping is getting more difficult as technology develops. The APA guidelines state that psychologists are responsible for maintaining, disseminating, storing, retaining, and disposing of records and data relating to their professional and scientific work (APA, 2017). Psychologists need to maintain the security of any personal or confidential records to the best of their ability. This can include not posting the information to places that are accessible to those without proper authorization and making sure to encrypt emails when they have confidential information in them. My state rules agree with the APA guidelines in this matter but specify that the courts can mandate that you release information to them when applicable (Department of Human Services). The two regulations complement each other, and the state expects psychologists to adhere to both.

The new use of digital records poses a problem as those records can sometimes be easily hacked or mismanaged. In my line of work, we get annual training on how to protect information online including encrypting emails, not putting sensitive information on removable media devices, limiting access to certain drives and internet folder, etc. so that we do not accidentally leak sensitive information. I assume these rules are also being followed, maybe to a lower extent, by medical and mental health professionals in order to keep confidential, digital, information safe.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf

North Dakota Department of Human Services. Service Chapter 110-01: Confidentiality. Policies of the Department of Human Services Manual. https://www.nd.gov/dhs/policymanuals/60005/attachments/SC%2011001%20Confidentiality.pdf

ANSWER

Ensuring Ethical Practices in Psychologist Marketing and Record-Keeping

In the discussion thread, multiple participants engage in a thoughtful conversation about ethical considerations in psychologist marketing and record-keeping practices. Nicole Mulligan and Gina Audiss highlight key concepts from Fisher (2021) and APA guidelines to illuminate the importance of ethical conduct in professional settings.

Nicole Mulligan emphasizes the significance of ethical marketing strategies for psychologists. She recognizes the benefits of attending lectures, conferences, and research endeavors to establish expertise and credibility in the field. Her plan to create a website with accurate information about degrees, licenses, and services underscores the need for transparency. Nicole points out the potential ethical issues arising from breaking guidelines in website content and the crucial role of ethics committees in maintaining ethical conduct. Her focus on ethical marketing strategies aligns with Fisher’s emphasis on maintaining professional standards and ensuring accuracy in self-promotion.

Gina Audiss contributes by discussing her approach as a counselor specialized in research. She emphasizes the need for accurate information and credentials in her field, highlighting the importance of professional presentation. Gina mentions her intention to attend psychological society meetings and lectures to network and build a peer network. Her commitment to ethical behavior is reflected in her aversion to using social media or spreading false information, further demonstrating ethical considerations in networking and marketing efforts.

Furthermore, both participants address the complex issue of record-keeping ethics. Nicole Mulligan underscores the responsibilities psychologists hold concerning the maintenance, storage, and transfer of records as per APA guidelines. Comparing APA guidelines with New Jersey laws, she identifies overlaps and suggests areas for potential improvement in both sets of regulations. Nicole’s focus on unauthorized access to records and the challenges posed by digital recordings highlights the evolving landscape of record-keeping and privacy concerns.

Gina Audiss contributes to the discussion by acknowledging the challenges posed by technology in record-keeping. She discusses the increasing difficulty in maintaining confidentiality with the rise of digital records and emphasizes the importance of encryption, limiting access, and secure information handling. Gina highlights the necessity of adhering to guidelines and training to prevent data breaches and safeguard confidential information.

In conclusion, the discussion among participants Nicole Mulligan and Gina Audiss illustrates their deep understanding of ethical considerations in psychologist marketing and record-keeping practices. Their insights reflect Fisher’s (2021) emphasis on transparency, accuracy, and adherence to guidelines while promoting oneself professionally and maintaining confidential information.

References:
Fisher, C. B. (2021). Decoding the Ethics Code (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
North Dakota Department of Human Services. Service Chapter 110-01: Confidentiality. Policies of the Department of Human Services Manual.