Ethical Dilemma Case

Ethical Dilemma

April Torres

Capella University

Developing a Psychology Perspective

PYSC3002

Dr. Sherri Stone

December 30, 2014

As a doctor in the Psychological field, I live by a set of ethical principles and code of conduct that were instilled in me from day one. Psychologist strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm ("APA General Principles," 2010, para. 1). With that being said, every day we are faced with ethical dilemmas that sometimes can be quite complex when we take state and county laws in account with the Ethical Principles of Psychologist and the Code of Conduct. Today we will review a case involving the treatment of a minor child and the parents’ involvement with treatment with custodial issues. You will get an up close look at the one of many dilemmas we face from time to time and how this issue was handled.

The Case

            Treating a minor child for depression and minor self-mutilation. The father being the custodial parent with sole placement and sole custody has given consent to treat his child and has asked to not allow the mother any and all access regarding the son’s treatment.  The mother who is the non-custodial parent, calls and would like to be involved in her son’s treatment. The father does not want the mother to be involved in any aspect of the treatment due to her alcoholism which was one of the main factors to the divorce of the parents.  

Upon reviewing the APA Code of Ethics paying close attention to Standards 3.10b Informed consent, 4.05a, 4.05b Disclosures, 10.01a and 10.02 Informed Consent to Therapy and Therapy involving Couples or Families, along with state and county laws of Wisconsin, I came to the conclusion that the mother has no legal right to any information about the treatment of the patient.

Going into the laws of Wisconsin and the county of Racine, when it comes to the minor child’s therapy or any medical information, depends on the physical placement and sole custody of the minor. In general a parent has a right to access the treatment records of a child or obtain copies of records. However, a parent who has been denied periods of physical placement with the child under CH.767, Statutes, may not have access to treatment records (ss51.30(5)(bm,Wis.Stats).