A Charter of Professional Rights for Psychologists

Introduction

This document is a statement of the conditions which psychologists need to achieve the goal of providing their clients the best psychological services possible. It makes the assumption that psychologists are viewed from and evaluated on the basis of their areas of expertise and are otherwise treated with equality and fairness. It also complements the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (1991) which outlines the responsibilities of psychologists to their clients, society, the psychological profession, and themselves. According to the Code, a client is a person, family, or group (including an organization or community) receiving service from a psychologist.

Adopted by the PAA Board September 18 1999.

Client - Psychologist Relationship

Psychologists recognize that psychological practice is varied and includes clinical, educational, and research activities. Psychologists regard serving the psychological needs of their clients as paramount and at the centre of the client-psychologist relationship. A strong client-psychologist relationship is one based on trust, honesty, confidentiality, and mutual respect. In order to achieve the best client-psychologist relationship, psychologists need the following conditions:

· provision for timely access to appropriate, exemplary psychological service for clients

· funding which allows for equitable access to psychological services by all clients

· freedom to advocate for their clients' psychological needs

· access to relevant information from clients and from other health care providers about clients' physical and psychological health, thus enabling the best quality care to be provided

· authority to keep information about clients in confidence unless disclosure is required under the mandate of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

· assurance that data generated in their work environments will not be compiled, sold, or otherwise used in a manner compromising their privacy or that of their clients, except as authorized by law

· freedom to provide or refuse service to a client or to continue or discontinue a professional relationship.

Ethical Professional Practice

Psychologists practice their profession in the service of their clients and society and collaborate with other providers of psychological service to this end. In order to discharge their professional responsibilities, psychologists need the following conditions:

· freedom to practice psychology in full accordance with professional and personal values, within the bounds of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

· authority to work in compliance with the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists in their work environments

· regulation by self-governing, professional psychological bodies

· freedom to practice psychology to the full extent of their competency, subject to licensure

· freedom to inform clients of all appropriate options relevant to their care and to have clinical autonomy in recommending care

· authority to choose and implement the best and most appropriate psychological assessments and interventions consistent with their clients' needs and preferences

· time and opportunity for adequate career maintenance, professional development, and collegial activities.

Fairness

Like all persons, psychologists deserve fair treatment in matters concerning their individual and collective interests. Therefore, during training and in practice, psychologists need the following conditions:

· freedom to work and act in a spirit of respect for self and others

· respect procedurally with regard to policy, legal, contractual, administrative, and disciplinary decision-making concerning themselves

· access into psychological training and delivery systems on the basis of professionally acceptable standards

· provision for professional input into development and delivery of psychological services

· assurance that psychologists will be appointed to professional staffs on the basis of required professional credentials, competence, and performance

· remuneration which is reasonable over the full spectrum of professional services, including administration, teaching, research and committee work

· provision for reasonable consideration and compensation when facilities and programs are discontinued, reduced, or transferred

· compliance by those employing psychologists with regard to the Canadian Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct for psychologists.

Quality of Life

Psychologists are committed to balancing professional demands with their need for quality of life and personal health maintenance. Therefore, psychologists need the following conditions:

· freedom from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or violence while in training and throughout their professional career

· access to appropriate resources for dealing with personal or professional problems that affect how they function in their work as psychologists

· freedom from reprisal when they report in good faith unsafe or unethical practices and conditions bearing on client or personal welfare

· access to information needed to safeguard their personal health and safety, while respecting client confidentiality

· power to have input into processes which will ensure personal health and safety in the work place

· scheduling in the provision of psychological services and psychologist training that balances both their ability to provide quality care and their need to have time for a personal life and health

· provision for adequate and affordable psychological liability protection.

Work Environments

Psychologists play a vital role in work environments that encompass research, private practice, school, health, business and industry. In order to preserve and promote quality within work environments, psychologists need the following conditions:

· involvement in work environment reform and policy planning

· consultation regarding issues related to service delivery, payment, funding, and terms and conditions of work

· assurance that changes to work environments will respect psychologists' liberty to have choices

· assurance that members of differing work environments respect the client-psychologist relationship, continuity of care, and the clients' freedom in the choice of a psychologist

· freedom to associate for collective bargaining where applicable

· representation formally in negotiations on issues of work environment reform, service delivery, payment, funding and terms and conditions of work

· resources and funding for psychological services to be negotiated by provincial psychology associations and allocation directly to psychologists

· resources sufficient to allow for the efficient, effective, and professional delivery and management of psychological care under reasonable and humane working conditions.