CONFIDENTIALITY - ETHICAL AND LEGAL-ASPECTS FOR CANADIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS

This paper focusses on the ethical and legal aspects of confidentiality for Canadian psychologists, with particular emphasis on clinical psychology. The concepts of confidentiality, privileged communication, and privacy are clarified. The law of privileged communication in Canada is presented. Ethical standards, provincial and federal legislation, and case law bearing on confidentiality in clinical practice are discussed. Issues of mandatory child abuse reporting, the duty to protect, informed consent, and third party and client access to records, are explored. Suggestions are made to the psychologist regarding the management of confidentiality.