Quote:
Originally Posted by Bipolar Warrior
I actually think it would be unethical to continue treatment with a client the therapist isn't comfortable with, or doesn't feel competent enough to treat, or similar. It would have a negative effect on the client, and therefore the responsible thing to do is to refer the client to someone else. It is in the best interests of both parties, which is the point that is made in your quote, ATAT.
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Actually, no, that's not the point of the quote at all as I see it, and it's definitely not the subtext.
Here we have a profession that should be concerned about the well-being of the client. And what strikes me about this scenario is that the psychologist gets to decide everything for the client (with the blessing of the APA ethics board, how nice). Jessica's opinion is not sought; we know she doesn't want to change practitioners. But she is not asked why, nor is she asked how she thinks her treatment with Dr. Berman is going and whether it is helping her. No, it's all about his opinions of the treatment. The client is given no voice.
I have students I feel overwhelmed by just because of the depth of their academic needs. I don't get to refer them out, because it is my job to help them. When you have a profession that is dedicated to the well-being of others, to talk about the well-being of the psychologist while ignoring the (unconsulted) client's thoughts is condescending and rear-covering.
I actually find the article very eye-opening - not about ethics but about the attitude of the profession. And the audience, recall, is fellow mental health workers, not us. The message is, "it's okay to pass on a client in distress, even when they don't want to move on."