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General Duties of a Clinical Psychologist

Last updated on May 11, 2022

Given below are some of the duties of a clinical psychologist:

Advertising Services

A clinical psychologist should not:

  • Solicit any person with disabilities, directly or indirectly. This includes advertisements, circulars, hand-bills etc. However, clinical psychologists can formally announce through the press about starting/resumption of practice, change of practice, change of address, winding up of practice, and temporary absence from practice.(( Regulation 3, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Display qualifications on the sign board, letter head pad, prescription slip, visiting card, certificate, report and other documents that carry the psychologist’s signature. The Registration Certificate should also be fixed in the place of practice, in a clearly visible manner.(( Regulation 8, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Not undertake practice in any field other than the psychologist’s field of specialization.(( Regulation 11(k), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))

Fee and Payment

Clinical psychologists should not charge an exorbitant fee. Also, a psychologist should not enter into a deal of ‘No payment, no cure’.(( Regulation 9, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))

Details of Patients

Clinical psychologists should maintain a register of the details of patients, prescriptions issued, fees charged etc.(( Regulation 13, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))

Moreover, clinical psychologists have the duty to maintain confidentiality. This includes keeping the information about their patient’s mental health, mental healthcare treatment, and physical healthcare confidential.(( Section 23, Mental Health Act, 2017))

Treatment and Care of Patients

A clinical psychologist should undertake rehabilitation or treatment of people with disabilities at regular and required intervals, or the proper time.(( Regulation 11(h), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998)) However, they should not:

  • Exaggerate the course of disease or the gravity of the condition of any person with disability.(( Regulation 10, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Indulge in any indecent activity or have any improper relations.(( Regulation 11(b) and 11(c)The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Make use of harsh and rough language with any person with disability.(( Regulation 11(d), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Take undue advantage of the condition of a person with disability.(( Regulation 11(f), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Intentionally and knowingly neglect any person with disability.(( Regulation 11(i), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))
  • Avail or attempt to avail any benefit meant for people with disability.(( Regulation 11(j), The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))

Violation of these duties will qualify as misconduct and can make a psychologist liable to disciplinary proceedings by the Rehabilitation Council of India.(( Regulation 15, The Rehabilitation Council of India (Standards of Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Professionals) Regulations, 1998))

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