Throughout the Capstone Project, each psychology student will assume the role of a consultant hired to develop a program evaluation system for a fictitious non-profit behavioral health agency. Please note that the agency is a fictitious company. The course is designed to illustrate the process of program evaluation in an agency; however, you will not be collecting actual data from any agency.

While consulting with an agency, you may have access to confidential information related to clients’ diagnoses, mental health and substance abuse symptoms, prescribed medications, physical status, and possible criminal histories. 

Discuss the ethical issues involved with being a consultant for a social services agency.  What procedures could be put in place to ensure that the confidentiality of the clients in maintained? Are there other ethical or legal issues that need to be considered in your role as a consultant?