Conflicts of interest

Clients rely on psychologists' independence and trustworthiness. A conflict of interest exists when a psychologist acting for a client also holds personal, financial or other interests, or has relationships, that could affect the service or reasonably appear to; such interests are common and need identifying, careful thought, disclosure and accountability, and where they compromise or would reasonably appear to an independent observer to compromise the duty to the client, the psychologist must recognise and resolve the conflict in the client's best interests. Effective practice means the psychologist: (a) recognises potential conflicts that could arise in serving clients; (b) acts in clients' interests in making referrals and in providing or arranging services; (c) tells clients, those they report to and associated parties what their obligations are so all parties share an understanding; (d) does not ask for or take any gift, hospitality or inducement that could influence, or seem to influence, how they serve clients; (e) does not offer inducements to practitioners or colleagues or enter arrangements that could look like inducements; (f) does not let a financial or commercial interest harm the service or the way clients are treated, and tells clients when they, their immediate family or their associates hold an interest that could appear to influence the service; and (g) avoids targets, quotas and business expectations at odds with this code and, where such a conflict arises, works with an experienced practitioner toward a resolution consistent with the code.

• Conflict of interest register listing referral, financial, commercial and personal interests and how each was managed
• Gifts and hospitality register
• Client disclosure statements about interests that could appear to influence the service
• Record of consultation with an experienced practitioner about employer targets or quotas

• Referral fees or kickbacks undisclosed
• Employer session quotas driving clinical decisions with no documented resolution
• Family business interest in a recommended service not disclosed