Initially, psychologists should remember that they are under no obligation to provide a report if the client initially engaged their services for treatment. Further, it would be unethical to provide a report if the psychologist believed they were not competent to do so.
Full Answer
Should a psychologist write a report?
Often the psychologist feels bound to assist their client in such circumstances and agrees to provide the report, despite having limited experience in report writing and failing to realise the pitfalls for both the client and the psychologist.
Is it unethical for a psychologist to not give a report?
Further, it would be unethical to provide a report if the psychologist believed they were not competent to do so. If the psychologist does decide to provide a report, they might consider only providing a treatment report, regardless of what has been requested by the client or their lawyers.
What should we do about mandatory reporting of addictions?
In states that mandate reporting, policy makers, legislators, and physicians should work together to retract punitive legislation and identify and implement evidence-based strategies outside the legal system to address the needs of women with addictions.
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist for addiction?
A current report of examination by a qualified psychiatrist is required. (Preferably, the psychiatrist is board certified and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of addictions). Your personal physician is often a good source for a referral.
Can therapists report drug use?
Will my therapist report me for my drug use? No, this is unlikely. If you're simply discussing your personal drug use, that information should be protected under therapist confidentiality laws and also under HIPAA, the Health Information Portability and Information Act.
Is drug use confidential in therapy?
Talking about drug use alone in therapy, legal or illegal use, remains confidential. However, it's important that laws vary by state. There are ways to get clarification from your therapist without disclosing information. And if you doubt your therapist, it's probably a good indicator you need to find a new therapist.
What are the most common ethical violations in clinical psychology?
5 Major Ethical Violations In Therapycommunication of therapist's intrapsychic conflicts to the patient.contamination of the transference and consequent interpretations.the dissolution of the therapeutic “hold”the possibility of inappropriate gratification resulting from counter-transference problems.
What should you do if you know someone with a substance use disorder?
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Can you tell a psychiatrist about illegal drug use?
Yes, You Can Really Tell Your Therapist About Your Substance Use. To answer the question, yes, you can talk to your counselor about using illicit, addictive substances. Unless you are a threat to your own life or the life of another, a licensed substance abuse counselor is sworn to confidentiality.
What should you not tell a therapist?
With that said, we're outlining some common phrases that therapists tend to hear from their clients and why they might hinder your progress.“I feel like I'm talking too much.” ... “I'm the worst. ... “I'm sorry for my emotions.” ... “I always just talk about myself.” ... “I can't believe I told you that!” ... “Therapy won't work for me.”
What is the most common type of complaint made against professional psychologists?
found that the most common ethical issues associated with complaints against counselors were dual relationships (24%), incompetence (17%) professional misrepresentation (8%), sexual relationships with clients (7%), breach of confidentiality (5%), inappropriate fee assessments (4%), failure to obtain informed consent (1 ...
What is unethical for a therapist?
Unethical behaviors by psychotherapists happen for multiple reasons. Sometimes they don't take care of themselves and find themselves using their clients to meet their personal needs. Or sometimes they might not stop and think about what they are saying and end up sharing information about a client.
What are some legal issues in clinical psychology?
Psychological testing in the workplace is a legal issue that is associated with clinical psychology. The information gathered from psychological testing can be used against the candidate. Confidentiality issues are in conflict when the legal requirements of a court contradict the Ethics Code of the APA (Plante, 2005).
How do you deal with someone who is under the influence of drugs?
Try to remain calm, and speak in a calm, clear, and slow voice to the person. Try to avoid emotional or hostile language, which may make the person more aggressive. Say the person's name, and tell them that you're there to help. For example, “I can see how upset and angry you are right now, [person's name].
What are 5 things you can say if someone offers you drugs?
Give a reason why you don't want to drink or use drugs. Say something like: "It's bad for my health."...Say something like:"Hey, I said I'm trying to stay clean, so don't ask me again.""I told you I don't use anymore, so stop asking.""I'm trying really hard to stay clean, so please don't ask me to use anymore."
What advice you can give to a friend who is addicted to drugs?
Help them stay focused on positive goals that don't include drugs. Support and acknowledge the positive things they do and achieve, and don't abandon your friend when they slip up – it will probably take time for them to turn things around.
Why are psychologists discredited in substance abuse groups?
I have seen many new counselors and psychologists be discredited in a substance abuse group because they tell the group that they never have personally experienced addiction, but they know someone who has, or they have read about it in a book. There is definitely a piece lacking in the understanding of drug addiction when you have never experienced that yourself. But, there is also something lacking for former addicts who have never been trained in helping people sort out the issues that initially led them to substance abuse. While many people have the predisposition to become addicts, environmental circumstances are often the determining factor in developing an addiction. These environmental factors are things that can be dealt with in therapy. Events such as childhood traumas, grief and loss issues, difficulty coping, poor distress tolerance, are things that are handled and should be handled by a skilled, trained therapist.
What is the role of a psychologist in sobriety?
Psychologists have the skills necessary to help people deal with the emotions that sobriety may present, and to find more appropriate coping skills to utilize in times of stress. We are well trained in providing empathy and warmth, and using active and reflective listening.
Why do psychologists shy away from substance abuse?
I also think that psychologists tend to shy away from substance abuse treatment because they do not believe that recovering addicts or alcoholics are good therapy candidates. There are many negative stereotypes surrounding drug addiction, and unfortunately, psychologists are not immune to believing some of those stereotypes. I have heard other psychologists state that they do not believe that specific people with an addiction will be able to recover. It is as though they gave up hope for the person because of the addiction, even when the person is seeking treatment for the addiction. It is very strange. I have also gotten a sense that some psychologists believe that substance abuse treatment is a lesser form of therapy. Perhaps this is because of the difficult presenting problems and the frequent lack of insight-it’s hard to say. I am not one of those people.
How does CBT help with addiction?
CBT focuses on thoughts, and how thoughts influence moods and behaviors. CBT provides interventions to help people identify and challenge negative thoughts, and better understand the way in which thoughts influence behavior. Psychodynamic/interpersonal therapies are not always the first thing that you hear about when you hear about addictions treatment. These therapies have their roots in Freudian psychoanalysis in which the past is reviewed upon to determine the cause of current behaviors. My belief is that the person’s environment has contributed to the addiction. The emotional things that the person was unable to deal with were avoided and instead medicated by drug use. Sometimes the addiction gets out of control. However, there is always something that happened right as the person started to use. Sometimes it is a trauma, other times it is something less severe, like self-esteem issues or undiagnosed depression. I also like to look at the ways in which the person’s addiction affects her/his relationships with others and her/his current environment.
What is the number one thing that is important for a person to recover from addiction?
Number 1: Motivation and purpose. An unmotivated person is not going to recover from drug addiction or alcoholism. It is just that simple. I think it is important that people are working toward recovery, that they know why it is important to them . If they are doing it for someone else, that’s probably going to decrease motivation . If recovery doesn’t mean anything to them, motivation will remain low.
Why did Jane D spend so long in a psychiatric facility?
Jane was in her early 20s, and spent about three years in this facility because she could not manage her addiction.
Is substance abuse treatment a form of therapy?
It is very strange. I have also gotten a sense that some psychologists believe that substance abuse treatment is a lesser form of therapy.
What is the relationship between a therapist and a client?
The relationship between a therapist and a client is a special one. It involves sharing information that the client would probably not normally divulge to anyone else. Such personal revelations put the client in a vulnerable position. They need to be confident that that the therapist will keep such information private.
What are the fears of rehab?
A big fear for people who are entering rehab is what other people will think. By seeking help for their problem they may worry that this is going to damage their public or business reputation. It is understandable that the individual does not want their personal difficulties becoming the subject of gossip. This is why a quality rehab will always pay strict attention to keeping client information confidential. Those people who do not wish to for their attendance at rehab to become public knowledge will be able to keep such information private. It is even possible for them to use a pseudonym during their stay to further ensure privacy.
Is a therapist legally obliged to protect information?
While the therapist will be professionally and legally obliged to protect any information the same will not be true for other members of the group. There are plenty of personal stories shared during these sessions and some of this could be potentially harmful to the individual if it were to become public knowledge.
Do therapists remind groups of their obligations?
The therapist will frequently remind the group of their obligations in this regard. Most will be happy to respect this as they have also likely divulged information that they would prefer to be kept private. It is surprisingly rare that such information ever leaves the group.
Can a therapist share confidential information with a client?
This means that they are not allowed to even share this information with the loved ones of the client without permission. The situation does become more complicated where the client is underage though. Legal guardians may have a right to know what has gone on in the therapy sessions. This is changing. In many states in the US a child is treated similarly to adults in regards to client confidentially. If an employer is paying for therapy sessions it does not mean that they will have the right to information about what goes on.
What to report to a therapist?
Laws may vary from state to state, but in general, your therapist must report you to authorities if you: Say you’re going to harm someone or yourself. Reveal past or present abuse involving children. Lead your therapist to believe your life is in imminent danger from someone else. Reveal certain criminal activity.
How to contact a drug counselor?
Just call us anytime at 833-846-5669. We’re here to help.
Is EMDR evidence based?
These therapies are all evidence-based. This means that they have been proven to work. Some of them, such as EMDR, focus on reducing the present-day impact of past trauma. Drug use is sometimes linked to severe childhood trauma that was never resolved.
Is rogue labs illegal?
Rogue laboratories produce novel drugs of abuse with chemical formulas never seen before and therefore not yet illegal. As fast as authorities can ban the novel drugs, the laboratories produce new ones and so on. It’s a game that law enforcement will never win.
Do therapists call police?
Your therapist isn’t going to call the police on you for drug use as soon as you leave the office. He or she would much rather work with you so you don’t need to take drugs. Law enforcement has failed miserably to stop drug abuse. Jails and prisons don’t work. Incarceration is no more than a temporary solution at best.
Who can view your health information?
People authorized to view, distribute, send and discuss your health information are typically limited to pharmacists, physicians, medical insurance companies and other professionals directly involved in your care.
Can your Therapist Tell on You?
Yes, there are mandatory reporting laws for therapists and other medical professionals. These laws often include teachers and others in close contact with minors. There are also ethics laws that apply to therapists that could conceivably be interpreted differently by different therapist individuals. It can get a little grey and fuzzy, but simply seeking therapy for your own drug use should be safe. Laws may vary from state to state, but in general, your therapist must report you to authorities if you:
Why is there such a gap between the number of people who need treatment and those who get it?
An inadequately prepared workforce is one reason there's such a big gap between the number of people who need treatment and those who get it, says psychologist Lisa A. Marsch, PhD, who directs the Psychiatric Research Center and Center for Technology and Behavioral Health at Dartmouth University's Geisel School of Medicine.
What is the law for buprenorphine?
In fact, federal law requires providers who prescribe buprenorphine on an outpatient basis to provide some kind of wraparound or behavioral treatment , such as training in life management skills, symptom reduction and other recovery-oriented topics.
What is the basis of most opioid addiction treatment?
Pharmacological treatment, such as methadone and buprenorphine, is the basis of most opioid addiction treatment. Can adding psychological interventions increase the chances of treatment success?
Does technology help with methadone?
For example, Marsch and colleagues have found that substituting a Web-based intervention for some of the standard counseling methadone patients received resulted in significantly higher rates of abstinence than standard treatment alone ( Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2014).
Is heroin used in urban areas?
While the heroin users of the past were typically young, low-income , racial and ethnic minorities from urban areas, that's no longer true. Today's heroin users are increasingly older whites from more affluent suburbs and rural areas, according to Cicero's analysis of data from an ongoing study of patients in substance abuse treatment programs. In contrast to past users, who started out with heroin, three-quarters of the current patients got their first introduction to opioids via prescription drugs.
Is Oregon Health Authority integrating addiction services into primary care?
The Oregon Health Authority, for instance, is now integrating addiction services into primary care in the 16 coordinated care organizations that serve its Medicaid population.
Does individual drug counseling help with buprenorphine?
In a randomized clinical trial of 653 outpatients dependent on prescription opioids, for example, Potter and her co-authors found that individual drug counseling offered no additional benefit over and above the standard buprenorphine treatment ( JAMA Psychiatry, 2011).
What is the purpose of addiction treatment?
According to the American Psychological Association (3), individual treatment for addiction allows a person to focus on their personal goals and needs. Psychological treatments handle a loved one’s specific concerns by addressing the causes on an individual basis.
How do drugs affect the brain?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) says that drugs interfere with the way that the brain communicates and floods the brain’s reward system with dopamine.
What is addiction recovery?
The best solutions for any individual’s specific needs or goals will vary. In general, addiction recovery focuses on specific types of psychological treatments.
What should a person's issues read like?
The issues a person is facing should read like a movie summary, cover letter, or resume. They should include:
How to choose the most effective treatment?
In order to choose the most effective treatment, it is vital to have a clear picture of the problem and the stages of addressing them.
Is mental health a struggle?
2. Mental health and addictionissues tend to be a lifelong struggle.
What should a therapist do?
They should be objective, looking at situations from an outside view and forming opinions based on the facts rather than on their personal thoughts or beliefs. Your therapist will analyze and explore scenarios, thoughts, and feelings to find a resolution that works best for you.
What should a therapist accept?
Your therapist should be accepting of you as you are—where your current state is, where you are in life, what your thoughts/opinions/feelings are, and your goals. A good therapist views their clients as good people who are in a rough situation in their lives.
Why is it important to be open and honest in therapy?
Therefore, it is important to be open and honest. Therapy should be a safe and positive environment in which you can share anything without fear of judgement or rebuke. The therapist should be there to listen to you, empathize with your situation, and help you resolve any problems you may be having.
What is therapy? What is the treatment?
Therapy is a treatment—it is focused. You are not two friends chatting over coffee together. What brought you into therapy (e.g. depression, family issues, marital concerns, etc.) is what the therapist should focus on in the time you have together. The therapist may ask you a variety of questions, and you may share stories about your life, but all of these should ultimately work to help you address the concerns that prompted you to go to therapy in the first place. An efficient therapist will stay on track—and help you stay on track if you start to veer off.
How to help a therapist assess your feelings?
In addition to listening to what you're saying, your therapist should use your eye contact, body language, behavior, and tone of voice to help them assess your situation, thoughts, and feelings. They may even address these more subtle cues to help you recognize your thoughts and feelings.
How to make a therapist feel safe?
Your therapist should make you feel safe with them in a private room where no one else hears your private conversations. Generally, there should be a warm atmosphere —with low lighting to help you relax; a comfortable place to sit and talk with your therapist; and a kind, patient therapist sitting across from you, putting you at ease.
How to be a good therapist?
Be Positive and Friendly but Remain Professional. Your therapist should keep an optimistic and positive attitude towards you. When you express sadness or anger, the therapist will of course empathize with you, but they will act as a "thermostat" and try to lift the mood and keep things positive.
What should physicians do in states that mandate reporting?
In states that mandate reporting, policy makers, legislators, and physicians should work together to retract punitive legislation and identify and implement evidence-based strategies outside the legal system to address the needs of women with addictions.
How does an obstetrician help with substance abuse?
Three of the key areas in which they can have an effect are 1) adhering to safe prescribing practices, 2) encouraging healthy behaviors by providing appropriate information and education, and 3) identifying and referring patients already abusing drugs to addiction treatment professionals 13. Substance abuse treatment programs integrated with prenatal care have proved to be effective in reducing maternal and fetal pregnancy complications and costs 14.
What are the policies that deter women from seeking prenatal care?
Abstract: Drug enforcement policies that deter women from seeking prenatal care are contrary to the welfare of the mother and fetus. Incarceration and the threat of incarceration have proved to be ineffective in reducing the incidence of alcohol or drug abuse. Obstetrician–gynecologists should be aware of the reporting requirements related ...
Do gynecologists report drug abuse?
Obstetrician–gynecologists should be aware of the reporting requirements related to alcohol and drug abuse within their states. They are encouraged to work with state legislators to retract legislation that punishes women for substance abuse during pregnancy.
Is the legal system inappropriate for perinatal alcohol abuse?
The use of the legal system to address perinatal alcohol and substance abuse is inappropriate. Obstetrician–gynecologists should be aware of the reporting requirements related to alcohol and drug abuse within their states. In states that mandate reporting, policy makers, legislators, and physicians should work together to retract punitive legislation and identify and implement evidence-based strategies outside the legal system to address the needs of women with addictions. These approaches should include the development of safe, affordable, available, efficacious, and comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment services for all women, especially pregnant women, and their families.
Is addiction a moral failing?
These approaches treat addiction as a moral failing. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing biological and behavioral disorder with genetic components. The disease of substance addiction is subject to medical and behavioral management in the same fashion as hypertension and diabetes. Substance abuse reporting during pregnancy may dissuade women ...
Can a pregnant woman receive treatment for drug addiction?
Pregnant women who do not receive treatment for drug dependence cannot be assumed to have rejected treatment 12. The few drug treatment facilities in the United States accepting pregnant women often do not provide child care, account for the woman’s family responsibilities, or provide treatment that is affordable.
