Abstract

At the beginning of the article the authors outlines a range of problems that practising psychologists are faced when they conclude contracts of psychological and psychiatric assistance, because they are not mentioned in the current Russian Legislation. The parties raise questions relating to the definition of the essential terms and conditions of the contract, the quality of the assistance provided, and legal liability.

The article provides a description of contracts for the provision of psychological support and psychiatric assistance from the standpoint of civil law: legal entities, subject, features of performance, liabilities of the parties in the contract are specified.

The sources which regulate psychological support and psychiatric assistance are identified, the Code of Ethics for psychologists among the sources regulating this activity is reviewed, the relationship between the Code of Ethics and the Federal Law is carried out.

The psychologist’s right (executor under the contract) to refuse to sign the contract or its execution is justified, the procedure and the legal consequences of such refusal is defined. The requirements of psychological (psychotherapeutic) support proved by laws and regulations and ethical standards are shown.

The authors examine the problems of legal regulation of relations, which practicing psychologists are frequently faced with in providing psychological and psychiatric assistance, including the use of modern telecommunications technology.

The requirements for psychological and psychotherapeutic services are often a matter of judgement. Due to the absence of clear (verified or measured) criteria, their quality is mainly determined by the correspondence of actual information stipulated in the contract.