868 IAC 1.1-11-4.1 Relationships within professional practice

Sec. 4.1. (a) A psychologist shall not enter into a dual relationship with a patient or client if such relationship could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation of the patient or client. (b) Entering into business relationships with current or former patients or clients is prohibited if such relationship could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of unjust exploitation of the current or former patient or client. (c) A psychologist shall not enter into a professional relationship for the purpose of providing psychological services to members of the psychologist's family. (d) The psychologist shall not undertake or continue a professional relationship with a patient or client when the objectivity or competency of the psychologist is or could be expected to be impaired because of the psychologist's: (1) present or previous potentially harmful relationship with the patient or client or a person associated with or related to the patient or client; or (2) bias against a patient or client because of the patient's or client's age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status. (e) When a potentially harmful relationship becomes apparent, the psychologist shall clarify the nature of the relationship and attempt to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the patient or client. Whenever a psychologist's objectivity or competency becomes impaired during a professional relationship with a patient or client, the psychologist shall notify the patient or client orally and in writing that the psychologist can no longer provide professional services, and the psychologist shall assist the patient or client in obtaining services from another professional. (f) If termination of the professional relationship is necessary, the psychologist shall: (1) immediately terminate the professional relationship in an appropriate manner; (2) notify the patient or client orally and in writing of this termination; and (3) assist the patient or client in obtaining services from another professional. (g) A psychologist shall not terminate a professional relationship in order to develop or continue a personal or business relationship with a patient or client. (h) In areas beyond the scope of the psychologist's competence, the psychologist shall refer to a professional who is competent in that area of practice. (i) A psychologist shall not exploit consulting relationships with patients, clients, or institutions to refer others to the psychologist for services. (j) A psychologist shall not engage in lewd or immoral conduct. As used in this subsection, "lewd and immoral conduct" includes, but is not limited to, sexual intimacies or sexual exploitation of the professional relationship. (k) A psychologist shall not provide professional services if there is a reasonable belief that such rendering of service will adversely affect another patient or client unless each patient or client consents after full disclosure of the potential conflict. (l) A psychologist shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in the conduct of research and shall utilize generally accepted scientific principles and current professional theory and practice. New or experimental procedures, techniques, and theories shall be utilized only with proper research safeguards, informed consent, and peer review of the procedures or techniques. (m) Where differences of: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) race; (4) ethnicity; (5) national origin; (6) religion; (7) sexual orientation; (8) disability; (9) language; or (10) socioeconomic status; significantly affect a psychologist's work concerning particular individuals or groups, the psychologist shall obtain the training, experience, consultation, or supervision necessary to ensure the competence of the psychologist's services concerning such individuals or groups. If the psychologist cannot obtain the training, experience, consultation, or supervision necessary to ensure the competence of the psychologist's services, the psychologist shall decline to offer services and shall make appropriate referrals.