What limits must psychologists inform clients about during third party services?

The requirement for psychologists to inform clients about limits to confidentiality and possible uses of the provided services is grounded in ethical and legal considerations. When psychologists provide services that involve third parties, such as in assessments for legal cases or other organizational settings, they must clearly communicate how information may be shared and the extent to which confidentiality can be maintained. This transparency is essential to ensure clients understand that their information might not be fully protected in the way it would be in traditional therapy settings, where confidentiality is more absolute.

Informing clients about these limits helps to foster an informed consent process, which is a fundamental tenet of psychological practice. It ensures that clients can make well-informed decisions regarding their involvement in such services and understand the dynamics at play, particularly regarding how their information may be used or disclosed to third parties, such as employers or courts. This aspect of informed consent is vital for maintaining professional integrity and trust in the therapeutic relationship.