Coaching versus therapy: A perspective.

This article reports a study of current perceptions among professionals regarding therapy and coaching. Whereas therapy and counseling have been traditional fields of study and practice, coaching is not as well developed. It is helpful to examine the perceptions of practicing professionals in order to delineate the distinctions and overlaps in these modalities. A set of 7 questions was used to explore these viewpoints with a participant pool of professional coaches--therapists. Interview data and narrative summaries provide a perspective on the controversy of coaching versus therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists and sex offenders: A hopeful update to Brunette and Sales.

Brunette and Sales (see record 1981-11085-001) have done an extensive survey of state statutes in the preparation of their article. Although I have no doubt as to the accuracy of their view of these statutes, I would like to point out that the article is somewhat misleading as to the actual role psychologists play in the disposition of sex offenders. In fact (at least in New Jersey where I live and work), the role of psychologists is much greater than Brunette and Sales indicate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Dr. Rotgers' Letter.

Replies to the letter by Rotgers (see record 2005-09346-005) on the current author's original article (see record 1981-11085-001). Dr. Rotgers' letter is valuable, since it provides an excellent example of the fact that practice does not always conform to the "black letter" of the law. The current author is pleased to learn that New Jersey legislated their custom, for to rely on custom alone for the recognition of professional psychology is dangerous indeed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and physician-assisted suicide: The relationship between underlying beliefs and professional behavior.

Would you, as a practicing professional, conduct evaluations of patients desiring physician-assisted suicide (PAS)? Would you assist directly? The authors surveyed psychologists and psychiatrists licensed in New Mexico in order to understand the ethical reasoning mental health practitioners use making judgements about PAS and to discern what criteria they use in responding to patients desiring aid in dying. Fundamental agreement on the validity of various justifications for or against PAS suggests open-mindedness and empathy. Yet, practitioners report a tendency to act in accordance with their own belief systems rather than the patient's, raising questions about objectivity. How do you compare to these professionals? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conflict of commitment in clinical research.

Some aspects of the problem of research in a psychological or psychiatric clinic are explored. "History leaves little doubt that, so far as we are scientific, we must push for further analysis of our data. At the same time the clinical commitment to the whole person is also irrevocable. The conflict of commitment appears to be an inevitable feature of clinical research. By making psychologists and psychiatrists aware of the inevitability and historical origins of the conflict, one may hope to avoid some of the more unfortunate of its possible manifestations." Major sections are: Research manifestations." Major sections are: Research commitment, Clinical commitment—whole childism, Darwin versus Lamarch—being versus becoming, Lamarckian philosophy in the clinic, Independence of errors, and Function versus ontology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologist and Psychiatrist.

The recent renascence in print in the "American Psychologist" of the issues between psychologists and psychiatrists prompts me to vent my spleen on some of the topics so well brought out by Ausubel et al. in the February, 1956 issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comments on "Understanding Psychiatrists".

Comments on the article by Richard Jenkins (see record 1955-03339-001), which discusses the relations between and the responsibilities of psychologists and psychiatrists in the light of two premises: (1) the medical responsibility of the psychiatrist, and (2) the inseparability of somatic and psychic illness. Newton states that one difficulty between psychiatrists and psychologists is that neither is ideally prepared. What is needed is a degree of "Doctor of Psychology" to be awarded by the same institution that awards the "Doctor of Medicine" degree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Understanding Psychiatrists": Comment.

Comments on the article by Richard Jenkins (see record 1955-03339-001), which discusses the relations between and the responsibilities of psychologists and psychiatrists in the light of two premises: (1) the medical responsibility of the psychiatrist, and (2) the inseparability of somatic and psychic illness. Because of a depth of concern for the welfare of his patient, the psychiatrist may at times feel that a more complete understanding of him would be facilitated by calling upon other individuals, such as psychologists, for their opinions. In such a case, the psychiatrist would retain final responsibility. Regarding the therapeutic competence of psychologists, it is our firm belief that this would best be determined by a board composed of psychologists of recognized standing, since they would be best qualified to judge the adequacy of psychological training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical psychologists' perceptions of persons with mental illness.

Clinical psychologists have an ethical responsibility to monitor the nature and appropriateness of their attitudes toward persons with mental illness. This article presents the results of a survey of randomly selected clinical psychologists who were asked to rate the effectiveness, understandability, safety, worthiness, desirability, and similarity (to the rater) of persons with moderate depression, borderline features, and schizophrenia. The results show that psychologists perceive these individuals differently with respect to these characteristics. The results also suggest that psychologists disidentify or distance themselves from persons with personality and psychotic conditions. Implications for quality improvement and stigma reduction in the field of professional psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Understanding psychiatrists.

The relations between psychologists and psychiatrists especially in psychotherapy is discussed in the light of two premises (1) the medical responsibility of the psychiatrist, and (2) the inseparability of somatic and psychic illnesses. However, many problems fall into educational or social categories rather than illness. "… any attempt by psychologists to take over the diagnosis and treatment of… functional psychiatric disorders generally is bound to be regarded by the psychiatric speciality as a basic challenge to its function… and will surely lead to a major professional struggle between psychology and the whole of medicine." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologist and Society.

Comments on the original article by F. B. Tyler and J. C. Speisman (see record 1968-00071-001), which discussed the expanding and increasingly complex role of the psychologist. Here, the current author notes the construction of a short questionnaire, designed for precollege students, to investigate the way the psychologist's role is seen. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists: Obligated or Entitled?

This column looks at professional psychology's lack of a sense of obligation, the expectation that we owe society something sans remuneration. The field appears to be embracing and promulgating an attitude of entitlement, that is, society owes us a good, secure existence. As professionals in psychology we are specifically skilled and should be properly compensated; how much we earn is not an issue. The problem is an increasing failure to see an obligation to return something to society without foreseeable personal or financial gain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Research Problems for Psychologists.

In the hope of finding some new areas where psychologists might do research, I decided to question some individuals in fields which are distant from psychology. To locate such individuals who could represent their field broadly, the past five presidents of certain professional groups were selected. The fields included art, architecture, chemistry, engineering, economics, geography, mathematics, and physics, plus other more specialized groups. They were asked to describe problems in their fields to which psychology might make a contribution. Psychology's wish to learn of new areas for research was emphasized. A number of these answers pointed out problems of a general nature of which psychology is already aware; such as how to improve interpersonal relations, how to make people more creative, and so on. There were, however, a number of suggestions which it seems worthwhile to describe here. Generally, as one might expect, there was some relation in this study between the nearness to psychology and the usefulness of the suggestions made. Those fields which are quite closely associated with behavior supplied most of the material which has been presented. Understandably, the fields less concerned with behavior, such as the physical sciences, could only offer problems which concerned the scientist as a person and not the actual science. Possibly this situation is indicative of a limiting factor in psychological research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Frame of Reference.

Presents a letter speaking in support of the network television show The Eleventh Hour, which prominently features psychologist and psychiatrist characters. Regarding the portrayal of psychology in entertainment, the author argues that it would be wise to establish and expand beachheads, and to be alert to the possibility that the academic frame of reference may not be realistically imposed on the means of communication or the arts. Further, it is argued that it would be psychologically sounder to do what we could to actively assist any interpretive individuals or groups (on their terms if the psychological good is greater than the evil) and to work toward a goal of having art, entertainment, and other vehicles achieve as many of their objectives as we would wish them to allow us to achieve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction: Two Archetypes in Search of an Identity.

Counseling psychology, according to Domke's article in this present series, is a specialty that is in its adolescence. The chief reason for saying this is the perpetual agonizing about our professional identity and definition. We seem to be forever wrangling about who we are and what we want to become. In part this is due to the strongly hybrid nature of counseling psychology. We have always had one foot in psychology and the other in education. To the many reasons already put forth for this state of affairs, the author adds a metaphor that he thinks add some perspective to the current situation of counseling psychology. The model of the "psychologist" as an agent for amelioration of human suffering is of relatively recent origin. In the process of defining our unique contribution to the helping services, in general, we have been struggling with the models given to us by history. Using the Jungian perspective, we can identify some of these models of practice as archetypes that have become part of our personal and cultural heritage. The author of this article goes on to name some of the archtypes (or roles) and explains how each will affect counseling psychology in the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interprofessional relations or psychologists and psychiatrists are human too, only more so.

"Problems of interprofessional relations have been more productive of furor than fact." "Graduate students in psychology are expected to be skeptical and questioning; medical students begin their training with the absorption of static anatomical knowledge which has undergone little change in years." Psychiatry "… seems to represent the established order, and clinical psychology the force which seeks to change it." Conflicts stemming from differences in professional and social roles, from differences in professional training and potential roles, from differences in the preparation for and practice of pychotherapy, and from problems of collaborative research are discussed. Prospects for the future are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional Liability Insurance in Minnesota.

In Minnesota, a local mental health center is typically administered by a nine-man board, selected to represent various areas of interest in the community. It is the board then that is responsible for formulating overall policies and plans, hiring (or firing) staff, securing financial support, etc. Professional liability or malpractice insurance ordinarily available to psychiatrists and psychologists offered no protection to board members. Policies which would cover clinic staff as an entity did not extend to these personnel in their private practice. This comment provides more information on liability policy and discusses coverage for Community Mental Health Centers in Minnesota. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Recent Court Experience.

Because of the recent interest in the testimony of the psychologist as an expert witness, I would like to share a recent court experience with APA members. A patient murdered his estranged wife during the time he was being evaluated for treatment at the Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic, a privately endowed community clinic. He was seen once in May, 1955, by the psychiatric social worker and the psychiatrist; but he did not return until November of the same year, at which time he again saw the psychiatrist, who referred him to me for psychological evaluation. Eight days after I saw him, he shot and killed his wife. The entire psychiatric team was subpoenaed by the defense attorney to testify in the Ramsey County District Court as to the patient's mental condition prior to and at the time of the murder. In addition, the defense attorney requested that the psychiatrist, as well as myself, evaluate him in the jail as to his mental condition subsequent to the murder. The first professional member called to the witness stand was the psychiatric social worker, who was questioned rather briefly as to her impressions of the defendant at the time he was first referred. I was called to testify immediately afterwards and was subjected to questioning and cross-examination for a five-hour period. One hour was spent in qualifying me as an expert in terms of education, experience, academic appointments, and the like. The remainder of the time was devoted to an analysis of the psychological tests, as well as my clinical opinions as to the psychological condition of the patient. No attempt was made by the prosecuting attorney to harass me personally, although he would occasionally intersperse such comments as, "You are not a qualified psychiatrist, are you?" or, "You do not have an MD degree, is that right?" At the same time, he did not raise objections when the defense attorney asked for my diagnostic impression or opinion as to whether or not the patient knew right from wrong at the time of the shooting. Following my testimony, the psychiatrist was called to the witness chair and gave essentially the same picture based on his evaluation of the patient. The jury deliberated six hours and the defendant was found guilty of murder in the first degree which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. An informal polling of the jurors after the trial by the attorney for the defense revealed that the jury at no time questioned my expertness and fully accepted me as a professional member of the community. The majority agreed that the patient was psychotic but apparently did not feel he was insane. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who are these people?

Seventy service people (waiters, bellhops, elevator operators, etc.) via a "… 'disguised unstructured interview'… " during the 1954 APA convention in New York were asked about the "… function of psychologists, the kind of people they were, and various aspects of their convention behavior." Psychologists are often confused with psychiatrists and are regarded primarily as therapists. Most of those interviewed "… think of us favorably on the whole, but two-thirds of them don't know who we are." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluating and overcoming barriers to taking abuse histories.

Psychologists are frequently faced with issues of whether, when, and how to ask clients if they have been abused. Despite the demonstrated relationship between child abuse and adult psychopathology, researchers report that many clinicians still do not routinely inquire about abuse. A questionnaire completed by 63 psychologists and 51 psychiatrists in New Zealand revealed that factors related to reluctance to ask about abuse include the following: more pressing issues, fear of disturbing clients, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, biological etiology beliefs, and fear of inducing "false memories." Significant differences were found between psychologists and psychiatrists on some of these factors. Practice guidelines for enhancing the frequency and efficacy of abuse inquiry are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)