Listservs

Listmembers are advised that all referral requests should be posted using the following format. This protocol has been approved by the Society’s Presidents and Chair of the Communications Council, in consideration of patient privacy and listmember convenience.

(Listmembers may use the “Referral in:” subject line to delete postings to which they have no reply – without opening.)

Subject Line: Referral in: (city/state)

Body: Seeking licensed clinical psychologist with experience in:

(describe clinical skills required; do not include patient identifiers)

Contact: Back-channel only to: (requesting member, email)

Remember that Ethical Standards (Ethical Standard 4.04(b) notes that in our work, “Psychologists discuss confidential information obtained in their work…only with persons clearly concerned with such matters.” (APA, 2010) Also, Standard 4.06, explicitly addresses consultation, and notes that psychologists “disclose information only to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation,” (APA, 2010).”)

Members may post questions, seek advice, or debate professional issues on topics related to health psychology. Messages may be program announcements, information of professional interest, etc. Conference or Training announcements for events sponsored by 501(c)3 organizations are welcome.

Professional debates can create strong differences of opinion, which may be expressed in a constructive manner.

We understand that individuals from different cultures and groups may have varying customs and beliefs about what constitutes civil or uncivil behavior. We expect all to be respectful and mindful of these differences and norms. We appreciate openness and diverse viewpoints, including minority ones, on health-related topics. Any eligible participant may post a message, and all will see it.

Inappropriate behaviors include but are not limited to

• using language that is perceived as being aggressive, sarcastic, or demeaning; name-calling and other ad hominem comments; overgeneralizing and offering dispositional character criticisms and attributions, use of profanity
• posting excessively or repeating an established position or request for the same information
• posting excessively lengthy messages (you may direct interested parties to contact you off-list, or provide a link to another more comprehensive site)
• postings jobs or fellowships (Please post those to the Career Opportunities Center)
• failure to adhere to the directives of the list administrator and/or SfHP Communications Council
• failure to observe all copyright laws (do not copy/attach any full-length article or substantive portion thereof, without obtaining and including the copyright holder’s permission to do so)
• forwarding of any individual’s postings or emails to you or others without her or his permission constitutes an “unauthorized back-channel communication.” 
• inviting participation in surveys (results obtained via the use of listserv surveys may not be deemed representative, generalizable, or defensible)
• posting in any way that would even appear to support or oppose a political candidate for local, state or national public office

Remember, listserv rules are private rules for members participating on a private forum, so there are no First Amendment implications