Two legal issues associated with clinical psychology are patient rights and confidentiality. Patient rights: before a patient starts psychotherapy he or she should be informed of their rights upfront. Typically a psychologist or therapist will give patient some literature on exactly what his or her rights are. Every patient within psychotherapy has the following rights: the right to participate in developing an individual plan of treatment; the right to receive services in accordance to that treatment plan; the right to participate voluntarily; the right to object or terminate treatment at anytime; have access to personal records; the right to receive clinically appropriate care and treatment; the right to be treated in a manner that is ethical and free of abuse, discrimination, or mistreatment; the right to privacy; you have the right to report grievances regarding services; the right to change therapist; the right to have records protected by confidentiality and not be revealed without written consent. Patient rights are considered legal issues and at time if those rights have been violated the psychologist or therapist can be legally held responsible. In most violation of rights the psychologist or therapist run the risk of suspension of licensing which will have a direct effect on practicing. A situation that could be legal and unethical falls under confidentiality. A psychologist has the right to keep all things confidential. The expect to this would be any type of child abuse, intent to harm self or others, or elder abuse; in these cases it is mandatory reporting.
Two ethical issues associated with clinical psychology is Dual relationships and sexual indiscretion. Dual relationships have been the most common ethical violation brought to the attention of the ethic board. Dual relationships have
