Interns will acquire knowledge of codes of ethics that impact the practice of psychology, including the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Code of Conduct. In addition, interns will acquire knowledge of pertinent state and federal statutes and case law. Additionally, interns will be able to anticipate and identify potential ethical issues inherent in the practice of psychology, and be able to engage in a process of critical decision-making in order to determine how and when a potential ethical issue must be addressed.
Understanding of ethics is advanced through both formal training and supervised practice. Each intern is expected to gain a thorough understanding of ethical guidelines and how they impact the provision of clinical services. Formal training in ethics is accomplished through a series of didactic seminars. In addition, ethical practice is integrated through many of the other didactic seminars that are presented throughout the training year. In addition to formal didactic training interns receive continuing exposure to the application of ethical principles during supervision and case consultation. Supervision may include a combination of weekly meetings with a supervisor, serving as a co-therapist with the intern, live observation, video, and audiotaping for later review, and group supervision.
Expected outcomes from this aspect of the training program include demonstrated knowledge of the codes of ethics and laws relevant to the profession of psychology, the demonstrated ability to anticipate and identify ethical issues arising from the practice of psychology, the demonstrated ability to engage in a process of critical decision-making in order to determine how and when a potential ethical issue should be addressed, and evidence that the intern will apply ethical decisions in the practice of psychology.
