Alabama Social Studies SS24.P.19b

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Clinical Psychology

The Standard

SS24.P.19: Describe different types of biomedical and psychological treatments for mental disorders.

Identify differences among licensed mental health providers and outline legal and ethical requirements for mental health providers.

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies · Clinical Psychology

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students compare the work of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and clinical social workers. They choose providers for needs such as therapy, testing, or medication. They explain privacy limits, consent, reporting duties, and professional boundaries, while noting that rules vary by state.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a person who wants therapy and may need medication, a student can name a therapy provider and a prescriber, then explain the difference. They can identify required reporting as a legal duty and avoiding conflicts of interest as an ethical duty.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think every therapist can prescribe medication. They may think confidentiality means a provider can never share information, even when reporting is required. They may also assume a job title proves someone holds a current license.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A teen asks for therapy, medication, and a promise to keep abuse at home secret. Name a therapy provider and a medication prescriber, then explain the privacy limit.

Lesson moves

Give pairs provider cards and request cards labeled therapy, psychological testing, and medication; have them match every possible fit.
Ask, 'A client says their caregiver hurts them. Can a therapist promise secrecy?' Have students write a two-sentence answer.
Read three cases: a counselor prescribing pills, a psychologist giving a test, and a therapist hearing suspected child abuse; students label each refer, within scope, or report.
Open your state's public license lookup; have students find two mental health license types and compare the services each permits.

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