Book Review: Ethics Challenges in Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology

I used to work at a community mental health center. A client could be there totally on his or her own (which was the exception) or could have been referred by any of the following, and sometimes by more than one: state probation and parole (which sometimes included out-of-state referrals), community corrections local probation, federal probation and parole, DUI and drug possession probation, child protective services, adult protective services, juvenile probation, direct referral from various court systems, special justice ordered outpatient care in lieu of inpatient hospitalization, etc. The referral could include an evaluation order or an order for care that might include urine drug screens, alcohol breathalyzers, and attendance at 12-step meetings (despite court rulings finding that unconstitutional). We did work in the jail, and at one point, there was disagreement on who owned the records and who should have access. We also did pre-admission screenings for involuntary hospitalizations, and for a long time you were expected to screen your own clients, which included requesting emergency custody orders and detention orders that resulted in handcuffs and shackles for clients as part of law enforcement transport protocol. If the person had medical issues, outside medical staff would be involved in care. Children, parents, or whoever had custody would be involved, and often the relationship between parents could be contentious. The norm was there were a lot of stakeholders ...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Book Reviews Caregivers Children and Teens Disorders Dual Diagnosis Education Ethics & Morality Family General Medications Policy and Advocacy Professional Psychiatry Psychological Assessment Psychology Psychotherapy Treatm Source Type: news