Journal of Clinical Psychology: In
Session
Case Illustration Checklist
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Client/patient
confidentiality is a professional and ethical imperative, and In Session requires
that client identity be thoroughly disguised in published articles. Please
follow these general guidelines when disguising cases.
Identify clients by
fictitious first name only. The fictitious name selected should be completely
distinct from the patient’s real name (e.g., don't make a "William"
into a "Bill" or retain the client's first initial).
Change basic facts, such as
age, occupation, geographic location, city size, and the like.
Wherever possible, alter
details regarding the client's family composition (e.g., a divorce can become a
separation, a deceased family member can be made alive).
Change gender and
race/ethnicity in cases where these factors did not play an important role in
the course of treatment.
Avoid specifics (e.g., rather
than giving exact dates, give the season and change the year).
Do not make mechanical or easily traced
changes (e.g., don't change
If the client's life
experiences are unique, and so critical to the
presenting problem and course of treatment as to prevent the case from being
adequately disguised, then the author should obtain a signed publication
release from the client. In this context, bear in mind that
your own byline as author may hamper your efforts to disguise a client. One good test of when a release is necessary
is whether the client or her close relations could recognize themselves from
the case illustration.
Please indicate by checking
below those elements of the case that have been altered. This checklist is not exhaustive; in
preparing the case illustration, please alter as many details as possible.
Client’ name (must be changed) Client’s
ethnicity/race
Client’s marital status
Client’s age
Client's family composition Client’s gender
Client’s geographic location Client’s
educational level
Client’s occupation/employment Other case details
Author's Name (please print)
Author's Signature
Date