Managing Situations We’d Rather Avoid: An introduction to responding to and working with lawyers, police, investigators

Abstract Psychological practice invariably leads to encounters with third parties and organizations requesting access to our work: From a client requesting a simple treatment summary letter, to a lawyer’s request for a copy of a clinical file and even a subpoena to appear in Court. Most of us practice with the hopes of avoiding these types of situations—leaving us ill prepared to respond to them when they do and potentially exposing us to professional disciplinary action.In this presentation, a forensic psychologist leads an interactive discussion of how to respond when faced with situations that make us uncomfortable and presents helpful strategies for successfully thinking your way through these requests. Discussion of clinical risks and actions that may lead to professional complaints and discipline will be considered. Real practice examples of good, bad, and even ugly responses will be presented and discussed, and participants will have opportunities to submit questions regarding situations…