Multiple relationships

Psychologists often enter or risk entering multiple relationships that could compromise, or appear to compromise, their objectivity or how safe and effective the service is, and that could leave clients, former clients or associated parties open to exploitation. Psychologists must end or avoid multiple relationships unless they reasonably believe an ethical, legal or organisational obligation requires them to begin or continue one; consulting an experienced practitioner is advised where reasonable. Where they proceed, effective practice means the psychologist: (a) records at the time the factors supporting that reasonable belief; (b) records at the time how the interests of clients and former clients, and of associated and third parties, will be protected; (c) where this breaches no one's privacy, tells the parties that a conflict of interest may arise and explains what that could mean; and (d) monitors the situation and takes reasonable steps to protect those parties' interests.

• Contemporaneous file note of the reasons a multiple relationship was unavoidable and the safeguards adopted
• Consultation record with an experienced practitioner about the multiple relationship
• Disclosure note recording that the parties were told of the potential conflict
• Review entries showing the arrangement was monitored over time

• Treating psychologist also preparing a forensic report on the same client with no recorded justification
• Rural or small-community dual roles accepted with no safeguards written down