Policy on Self-Disclosure

Both personal and professional factors contribute to one's ability to conduct effective psychotherapy and provide a range of clinical services. Clinical psychology students are therefore encouraged to be open to personal insights that might affect their clinical performance. Courses and clinical training experiences are intended to facilitate self-reflection and self-awareness. In addition, personal psychotherapy may be a highly beneficial experience toward accomplishing this aim for those who choose it.

 

Students and applicants should be informed that the Virginia Consortium Program complies with the American Psychological Association (APA 2002) ethics code 7.04 (Student Disclosure of Personal Information). Accordingly, students may be invited and expected to disclose personal information, if such information is deemed relevant to their performance in coursework, training-related activities and/or to their professional development. Students may be required to disclose personal information, if such information is deemed necessary for evaluation, or for obtaining assistance, if personal problems could reasonably be judged to interfere with the performance of training related activities in a competent manner.

 

The sharing of personal information can be a part of fostering professional growth in students. However, providing personal information may also be necessary for assuring professional standards of practice and client welfare. Students or applicants who have questions regarding this policy are encouraged to contact the Director of Clinical Training of the Virginia Consortium Program.