Client gems

[islandgirl1]

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What are some of the scary/cute/funny/horrible things you've heard in session?

*MOD NOTE: deleted spec. question references....though funny, we can't have test questions floating around. -t*

 

[erg923]

I would advise against posting specific test questions on this forum, due to test security issues.

 

[shock-me-sane]

x

 

[psy86]

I would advise against posting specific test questions on this forum, due to test security issues.

Yes. This is a serious problem and these items should be removed, either by the OP or by a moderator.

OP, I would hope that since you have access to these tests you would also have had some training about test security. It's a bit bizarre that you thought it was a good idea to post these on the internet.

 

[deleted106747]

Given that this is entitled "client gems" and it has already led to people discussing what clients have said in session, in or outside of the testing situation, I hope that a moderator removes this thread. It's a violation of client confidentiality.

 

[deleted176373]

Given that this is entitled "client gems" and it has already led to people discussing what clients have said in session, in or outside of the testing situation, I hope that a moderator removes this thread. It's a violation of client confidentiality.

A violation of client confidentiality? No, not really, if it's de-identified it isn't.

Do I think it's in bad taste on a public message board, absolutely.

While we can all learn from client interactions (e.g. drug use vs using pot) it seems that the purpose of this post was to entertain and find humor as opposed to the more scholarly pursuit of successful interviewing techniques and how subtle shifts in context can dramatically affect client responses.

We should be above seeking the humor value out of these interactions on a public message board, that doesn't mean we shouldn't see the humor or use the humor in a constructive manner, but we as future practitioners do need to be sensitive to our future clients. I really don't want to come across as too high-brow or stuffy, I'm not. However this is one area that we must all take care in how we present ourselves publicly.

Mark

 

[deleted106747]

A violation of client confidentiality? No, not really, if it's de-identified it isn't.

Do I think it's in bad taste on a public message board, absolutely.

While we can all learn from client interactions (e.g. drug use vs using pot) it seems that the purpose of this post was to entertain and find humor as opposed to the more scholarly pursuit of successful interviewing techniques and how subtle shifts in context can dramatically affect client responses.

We should be above seeking the humor value out of these interactions on a public message board, that doesn't mean we shouldn't see the humor or use the humor in a constructive manner, but we as future practitioners do need to be sensitive to our future clients. I really don't want to come across as too high-brow or stuffy, I'm not. However this is one area that we must all take care in how we present ourselves publicly.

Mark

I'm not sure I agree that it's not a violation of client confidentiality, particularly if people were to get specific enough that the client could potentially recognize him/herself. It violates the sanctity of the therapeutic room - I cannot imagine how I would feel if I came across a message board wherein my therapist was writing about something I'd said, identified or not.
Certainly in research the IRB would have issues with it and clinically I know my supervisors would.

Additionally, if people considering therapy were to read therapists writing publicly and without permission about what their clients said, it might dissuade them from pursuing therapy.

I don't care if I sound stuffy - this is something that I believe is highly important.

 

[scienceisbeauty]

I first felt like this was a violation of confidentiality too....but then I thought:

There are lots of textbooks that list specific detailed coversations (the back and forth) btwn client and therapist...those are not a violation of confidentiality - yes I know that's a different situation but...re the posts:

1st we don't know exactly where the poster is from
2nd we don't know who the person who said whatever is
3 It's not like they're listing the detailed conversation - just a sentence or so, which I don't think gives anything away

But I do think that this thread is kinda in bad taste...

 

[deleted106747]

I first felt like this was a violation of confidentiality too....but then I thought:

There are lots of textbooks that list specific detailed coversations (the back and forth) btwn client and therapist...those are not a violation of confidentiality - yes I know that's a different situation but...re the posts:

1st we don't know exactly where the poster is from
2nd we don't know who the person who said whatever is
3 It's not like they're listing the detailed conversation - just a sentence or so, which I don't think gives anything away

But I do think that this thread is kinda in bad taste...

I still disagree. Most of the books I've read that discuss client interactions (i.e. Yalom) obtain the client's permission before publishing them. It might be an obtuse chance, but a client could google something and find themselves on this page. It particularly bugs me because the thread is set up as "client gems" - to laugh at clients. It casts a bad light on therapists and could be threatening to people who want to seek treatment. Additionally, other people could start posting more detailed client interactions.

 

[cara susanna]

It's not breaking confidentiality if it's for the purpose of education. But, otherwise, even with names removed, according to one of my classes it was.

I should add that I'm an undergrad though, so I'm no expert.

 

[Ollie123]

I'm actually somewhat less concerned with the client-side of things since I haven't read anything even in the ballpark of where a client would have any idea something was in reference to them - its still a dangerous line to walk down though. That being said, I think our society is oversensitive to the point of it being ludicrous - potentially identifying information about deeply personal events is one thing. "A kid at work said the cutest thing today" are another and I'm embarassed to live in a society/profession that demonizes things like that. America as a whole needs to learn to laugh at itself.

All that aside, I'm much more concerned with the test questions - while de-identified vague client stories are on the border, posting test questions is a clear-cut, supremely blatant violation of the ethics code.

 

[scienceisbeauty]

Is in bad taste...
I don't think that as of NOW it violates confidentiality. *IF* people start posting more detailed information, then I think it for sure would.

But really, what 7 year old is going to seach for "Christopher Columbus" "Wasn't alive then" to come to this post...I dunno. RIGHT NOW I think it's not a violation of confidentiality

But yeah again it is in bad taste...Good on you for pointing it out PsyCycle

 

[deleted106747]

I'm actually somewhat less concerned with the client-side of things since I haven't read anything even in the ballpark of where a client would have any idea something was in reference to them - its still a dangerous line to walk down though. That being said, I think our society is oversensitive to the point of it being ludicrous - potentially identifying information about deeply personal events is one thing. "A kid at work said the cutest thing today" are another and I'm embarassed to live in a society/profession that demonizes things like that. America as a whole needs to learn to laugh at itself.

All that aside, I'm much more concerned with the test questions - while de-identified vague client stories are on the border, posting test questions is a clear-cut, supremely blatant violation of the ethics code.

I'm not demonizing someone saying something about a cute thing a kid said at work. I'm saying that it's wrong to discuss on a public message board anything that a client, no matter how young, said in a session. That is an entirely different thing.

 

[Ollie123]

I'm not demonizing someone saying something about a cute thing a kid said at work. I'm saying that it's wrong to discuss on a public message board anything that a client, no matter how young, said in a session. That is an entirely different thing.

Oh that wasn't in reference to you in particular, just the direction that society as a whole is going. We're getting to the point that everyone has to tiptoe around everyone else, no one is willing to laugh at stupid things they've said or done, and I find the current state of things absolutely ridiculous.

Realistically though, we can't post things like that, and its somewhat taboo to even discuss something like that in a supervision group if it isn't relevant to the subject at hand. I don't have a huge issue with really vague things like what shock-me-sane posted, but I think its a careful balance to strike and one that warrants such a degree of caution its probably not a path worth venturing down.

I DO live in reality, I just don't like it sometimes😉

 

[deleted176373]

Oh that wasn't in reference to you in particular, just the direction that society as a whole is going. We can't post things like that, and its somewhat taboo to even discuss something like that in a supervision group if it isn't relevant to the subject at hand. I don't have a huge issue with really vague things like what shock-me-sane posted, but I think its a careful balance to strike and one that warrants such a degree of caution its probably not a path worth venturing down.

I DO live in reality, I just don't like it sometimes😉

I agree in a great many areas society is going down the wrong direction, however, when it comes to the perception that we project regarding our professionalism and respect for our clients, we should err on the conservative side.

I am certainly not politically correct nor would I be accused of being overly sensitive, it takes a great deal to offend me personally. However if I shared my most private thoughts with a therapist only to later find out that I was simply paying (or my insurance was paying) so that I could be the source of amusement for other therapists, I would possibly feel disenfranchised and betrayed.

This is a matter of trust between clients and therapists. While I don't think that the postings are offensive they show us in a poor light, albeit a very human one.

 

[Ollie123]

I am certainly not politically correct nor would I be accused of being overly sensitive, it takes a great deal to offend me personally. However if I shared my most private thoughts with a therapist only to later find out that I was simply paying (or my insurance was paying) so that I could be the source of amusement for other therapists, I would possibly feel disenfranchised and betrayed.

This is a matter of trust between clients and therapists. While I don't think that the postings are offensive they show us in a poor light, albeit a very human one.

We're in complete agreement that a public forum is not the place for any of this. However if I said/did something wonky in a therapy session and my therapist got a laugh out of it afterwards with his friends, I say good for them (again, assuming it was something generic and not a detailed history of traumatic events from my childhood).

I'm not going to disagree that its unprofessional, nor do I feel that its okay to do things like this. Because the reality is that it IS perceived as unprofessional, and it COULD offend people, make others reluctant to seek out therapy, etc. No argument from me there. I just think its sad that's the case and that society seems to be focusing on making the problem worse instead of better. Just my opinion - if I had complete control over all of humanity its one of the things I'd change, but until that happens I'm willing to deal with the world as it is😉

 

[JockNerd]

I'm actually somewhat less concerned with the client-side of things since I haven't read anything even in the ballpark of where a client would have any idea something was in reference to them - its still a dangerous line to walk down though. That being said, I think our society is oversensitive to the point of it being ludicrous - potentially identifying information about deeply personal events is one thing. "A kid at work said the cutest thing today" are another and I'm embarassed to live in a society/profession that demonizes things like that. America as a whole needs to learn to laugh at itself.

All that aside, I'm much more concerned with the test questions - while de-identified vague client stories are on the border, posting test questions is a clear-cut, supremely blatant violation of the ethics code.

I agree completely, Ollie.

The dialogue that was posted was obviously not a breach of confidentiality. Saying it is is like saying that if I said "My client who you know nothing about said the sky is blue," it's a breach. And focusing on that takes attention away from the actual problem, which is that copyrighted and confidential material (the text of the test questions) is written in the post.

Sure, the post is in bad taste, but other than the text of test questions I don't think it's justifiable at all to call it unethical.

As for what *could* happen in a thread like this continues... well, a lot of things *could* happen. Someone *could* divulge personal client details in the "lab problem" thread, or the "delusional or not" thread, too. I don't see how that's any kind of big deal.

 

[myelin]

Keep in mind that individuals outside the realm of academia (ie: clients) have access to these forums. They may read that students/interns/psychologists are posting funny ha-ha things about them in session. Although the identifying information is removed, it still may plant a seed in their mind that their thoughts and feelings aren't truly accepted unconditionally, which is the very crux of therapy and/or assessment.

 

[psychanon]

Jeesh, you guys are sooo blowing this way out of proportion. Nobody on this thread came close to violating confidentiality. Have you ever read a case study? Those are accessible to patients, too. And no, you don't have to have the patients permission to publish a case study, as long as you change enough identifying information so they could never be ID'ed. You have to submit reports for internship, too-- as long as it's de-identified. Have you ever been to a conference, or a training workshop? Have you ever had dinner with a therapist? Or, for that matter, any medical professional, who are also subject to confidentiality laws? You guys are acting as if it's a big secret that we even have clients, or that they say anything in session. And the argument that potential clients may read this forum and be scared away from therapy is ridiculous. Clients realize that therapists are people to, that we have senses of humor and we react to things and we need to vent sometimes, and that we don't exist in some kind of bubble. Besides, the Rogerian concept of unconditional positive regard is about respecting people no matter what their actions, not about unwavering agreement with whatever they do or say.

 

[erg923]

Well...anyway...can we take care of the more concrete issue here and take down the test questions from the WISC and WPPSI please?

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
9.11. Maintaining Test Security
The term test materials refers to manuals, instruments, protocols, and test questions or stimuli and does not include test data as defined in Standard 9.04, Release of Test Data. Psychologists make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of test materials and other assessment techniques consistent with law and contractual obligations, and in a manner that permits adherence to this Ethics Code.

 

[psy86]

Well...anyway...can we take care of the more concrete issue here and take down the test questions from the WISC and WPPSI please?

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
9.11. Maintaining Test Security
The term test materials refers to manuals, instruments, protocols, and test questions or stimuli and does not include test data as defined in Standard 9.04, Release of Test Data. Psychologists make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity and security of test materials and other assessment techniques consistent with law and contractual obligations, and in a manner that permits adherence to this Ethics Code.

Seriously.

The little triangle symbol at the bottom left corner of posts leads to a page where they can be flagged for inappropriate content. Those of us who find the original post problematic should probably flag it and hopefully draw a moderator's attention.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

While I don't think it was a breach of confidentiality to post the unidentifiable client stuff (though the whole idea of making fun of what clients say is unsettling), I do think a lot of people believe that it is. I recently got reprimanded in a practicum setting for telling one person whom I trust not to spread gossip that one of my clients asked if I was Portuguese. Totally gives away who my client was, huh? 😉 I made a thread about it a while back.

Anyway, so while most of us don't believe it's a confidentiality violation, a lot of people in the field currently do so maybe it's best just not to say anything about clients on a forum.

I'm sure the OP just forgot about test security, mistakes happen.

 

[myelin]

I'm sure the OP just forgot about test security, mistakes happen.

 

[Boston2k]

I think there's two meanings to "ethics" as defined here. As far as ethics defined as "rules psychologists must follow," it skirts the line of confidentiality but does not violate it. As far as ethics defined as "how one should act" however, it probably violates those. I understand the first post was a "look how cute these kids are" and the poster did not mean badly, but the sentiment of the type of thread would cause mistrust in patients, not necessarily that they will have information revealed, but in that they appear to be toys for us to analyze. I understand this was not the intent of the thread, but I believe this is what it reflects. Patients already often get very detached vibes from psychologists as people who may not really care about them as anything more than subjects (not that the "caring" part is essential, but I believe it is important beyond the context of patient improvement in symptoms), it wouldn't help to have this kind of sentiment displayed. To continue on would reflect poorly on us.

 

[PsyDr]

i will say that this exact type of thread is frequently found on professionl list servs: it is widely accepted. and no one every denigrates or says negative things about their patients. sometimes pts simply say something that is funny. or the therapist says somethign that is funny. case vignettes are also widely accepted, many containing very emotional content (e.g., suicide attempts). the standard is not to get the pt's consent. it is to de-ID them. and to speak with respect. this does not preclude humor.


in short: some things are simply funny.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I was being serious...

 

[erg923]

i will say that this exact type of thread is frequently found on professionl list servs: it is widely accepted. and no one every denigrates or says negative things about their patients. sometimes pts simply say something that is funny. or the therapist says somethign that is funny. case vignettes are also widely accepted, many containing very emotional content (e.g., suicide attempts). the standard is not to get the pt's consent. it is to de-ID them. and to speak with respect. this does not preclude humor.


in short: some things are simply funny.

List severs are closed communties of only professionals. This is a public forum avialble to anyone who clicks on it. Having copyrighted test questions available to the public is not appropriate and a violation of code 9.11 of the ethics code, no?

 

[PsyDr]

erg,

you are right. i should have qualified my statements. i would never support the disttribution of test items, which is a clear ethical violation.

 

[moonflwr]

i will say that this exact type of thread is frequently found on professionl list servs: it is widely accepted. and no one every denigrates or says negative things about their patients. sometimes pts simply say something that is funny. or the therapist says somethign that is funny. case vignettes are also widely accepted, many containing very emotional content (e.g., suicide attempts). the standard is not to get the pt's consent. it is to de-ID them. and to speak with respect. this does not preclude humor.


in short: some things are simply funny.

Posting of test questions aside, could someone please explain to me how this thread is different from this one: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=257985

Not trying to be argumentative in any way, I would honestly like to know the specific differences.

 

[PsyDr]

IMHO, what you are witnessing is some professional sensitivity.

psychologists sometimes confuse confidentiality with privacy and go beyond that which is dictated by professional ethics or the law. there have been cases of therapists who refuse to disclose information from therapy when ordered by a judge. the reason for this is beyond me.
noetheless, it happens

 

[The2abraxis]

well I came to look for some funny stories and found nothing but serious posts, what has the world come to!

since the OP asked for funny jokes in a session, I'll tell one I had in an instant messenger session :-D

- schater and singer were both going out on a date
- and they were driving home
- "ahhh," schater sighs, "you really make me happy"
- "no," replied singer, "i just provide the stimulus"

 

[myelin]

I was being serious...

It is beyond me how anyone could forget about test security in this field.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

It is beyond me how anyone could forget about test security in this field.

I don't think any of us are perfect all the time (just most of it). There have been millions of times that some kid has given me a particularly adorable answer to something on the Info section and I've wanted to run home and say "hey guys, guess how my client answered *insert question here*!"

We're not computers, we don't live with 100% correct lists in our brains, we forget things sometimes and then they get stuck on the internet to show our mistakes.

It's easy to point a finger when you aren't the one who made the mistake but I know how it feels to have your ethics called into question and I'm pretty damn sure the OP just forgot about test security. It's not as though it's drilled into our brains all the time, at least in my program it sure isn't.

 

[Mr Violin]

I don't think any of us are perfect all the time (just most of it). There have been millions of times that some kid has given me a particularly adorable answer to something on the Info section and I've wanted to run home and say "hey guys, guess how my client answered *insert question here*!"

We're not computers, we don't live with 100% correct lists in our brains, we forget things sometimes and then they get stuck on the internet to show our mistakes.

It's easy to point a finger when you aren't the one who made the mistake but I know how it feels to have your ethics called into question and I'm pretty damn sure the OP just forgot about test security. It's not as though it's drilled into our brains all the time, at least in my program it sure isn't.

I agree here and besides the issue has been fixed by T4C. As an undergrad myself, it was good for me to learn about the importance and sensitivity of issues such as of confidentiality and ethics. So there, something positive came out of this, now let us move on and not ridicule the OP. 🙂

 

[erg923]

It's not as though it's drilled into our brains all the time, at least in my program it sure isn't.

This is interesting actually, as I have had the complete opposite experience in my program. We spent a couple of entire class periods in our ethics class (several years ago) discussing the implications of the "Test data" vs "Test materials" issue that the 2002 ethics code made. And we had endless Q and A sessions about subpoenas, when to turn over raw test materials, and to whom, etc. Also, being in a neuropsych concentration, I think alot of us are exposed to comprimization of test security (by lawyers especially) and are perhaps more sensitive to these issues than most. How big an issue is this in other people's programs?

I must say though, that I am somewhat surprised that its not a bigger issue in Raynee's lab. You're into forensics, right? I would think your career would require lots of interaction with lawyers and the legal system in regards to your clinical work? And trust me, lawyers will want to sit in on your evals, coach your clients before hand, and they will stop at nothing to intimate you into turning over materials. Now doubt to benefit them in coaching clients in the future. Call me cynical I suppose....
So I would think that forensics and neuro would share equal passion for this issue.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

My lab never sees each other since there are 25+ people in it, but in our ethics class it was mentioned a few times and then never again. Of course it seems like common sense anyway not to give away test questions but I suppose programs have different things they like to harp on.

 

[myelin]

I don't think any of us are perfect all the time (just most of it). There have been millions of times that some kid has given me a particularly adorable answer to something on the Info section and I've wanted to run home and say "hey guys, guess how my client answered *insert question here*!"

We're not computers, we don't live with 100% correct lists in our brains, we forget things sometimes and then they get stuck on the internet to show our mistakes.

It's easy to point a finger when you aren't the one who made the mistake but I know how it feels to have your ethics called into question and I'm pretty damn sure the OP just forgot about test security. It's not as though it's drilled into our brains all the time, at least in my program it sure isn't.

This is part of the field - to address a colleague when they are in violation of the ethics code. If we all rationalize it and let it go, our field will suffer. As erg, I also had the APA ethics code beat into my head as it should be by any graduate program.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

This is part of the field - to address a colleague when they are in violation of the ethics code. If we all rationalize it and let it go, our field will suffer.

the OP was told what she did wrong, she didn't need to be made fun of afterwards. It's absolutely a good thing to address a colleague when they're doing something wrong but perhaps laughing at them and saying you can't understand how someone forgets something like test security is not the most tactful way.

 

[islandgirl1]

I apologise to all of the toes on which I have stepped. Seems like that's the whole lot of you practically.
And I thank the few who've defended my cause.

In my defense, I am not yet in grad school and have not yet become BFFs with the ethical code. So sorry for being a young grasshopper (like you almost-doctors once were) who didn't know better. I was merely observing assessments and found those responses cute. Much in the same way I would share a story of a little neighbor's naivety.
And before posting this thread I did a search that yielded results similar to the post on ER stories (thanks by the way, funny stuff! kill me for having a sense of humor!) and so thought it would be ok to follow similar lines here.

I've learnt my lesson. I now sleep with the Code under my pillow.



If you all think you can get off your high horses and post gems/insights, great. If not, close the thread. Call it a day. Get back to work.

 

[deleted176373]

I've learnt my lesson. I now sleep with the Code under my pillow.



If you all think you can get off your high horses and post gems/insights, great. If not, close the thread. Call it a day. Get back to work.

Maybe you haven't as you sit there and proclaim that those of us who criticized your lack of tack and compassion for clients as needing to "get off your high horses." Would you like a side order of judgmental attitude with that?

This thread is inappropriate save for the fact that it discusses naive mistakes made by our junior colleagues. It's not about being on my high horse but knowing how to show some decorum and class.

If you knew me, you would probably be shocked that I am the one who feels this strongly as I am very much a fly by the seat of my pants and lets throw the book out the window kind of guy. However as a former business owner, you know better than to denigrate your clients.

Here is a humorous story for you. When I owned an ISP (Internet Service Provider) my tech support staff created what they called the "cannot win" list. These were customers who no matter how hard they tried simply were not cut out for the digital age and whom were persistent in attempting to resolve these issues. I was unaware that they had actually put this list in the lobby of my business at the front desk on a white board. It stated boldly at the top: "Cannot Win" with a list of usernames below... now granted, in private conversation their exploits were humorous. Some of these people should have never been given a computer without dedicated staff to help them. It became far less funny however when a customer came in to pay her bill and saw her name on the "cannot win list." I nearly lost that customer, and that was just a $20 a month internet account. Here we are dealing with people who are being assessed for reasons unknown. Often the results of testing, especially in children, can have life long implications. As a profession we are given a great deal of trust, we need to preserve that trust. Yes, there is a time and place for humorous stories... this is not it.

Mark

 

[JockNerd]

Well, Mark, the OP didn't give the names of the clients as the company did in your story. The op gave one line of dialogue that's essentially completely untraceable. IF someone HAD given a name or something, then obviously it would be a problem. But no one did. I agree with the op that some posters were reacting in a manner far beyond what the situation called for (aside from the test questions issue).

I seriously doubt that every single one of the posters on this board never ever talks about clients, especially since I hear people in my program yak about clients all the time.

I'd share a weird story if I had one. Someone one talked for an hour and a half without interruption for me, and did a pretty good job on herself, but I think that's pretty common. 🙂

 

[paramour]

Wait a sec. I am now even more confused (not an uncommon occurrence with me). Granted, it has been a while since I reviewed the OP's actual OP before it was edited, but how is the OP even to administer such items (i.e., assessments) if she is not even in grad school yet? Or, did I completely miss something (which I admit is greatly possible!).

 

[pingouin]

Wait a sec. I am now even more confused (not an uncommon occurrence with me). Granted, it has been a while since I reviewed the OP's actual OP before it was edited, but how is the OP even to administer such items (i.e., assessments) if she is not even in grad school yet? Or, did I completely miss something (which I admit is greatly possible!).

She never used the word "administered", she said she "observed". If I'm remembering the original post correctly, the dialogue was clear that the test administrator was not herself. I would think that with shadowing opportunities, field, placements, undergrad internships, etc etc, there would be plenty of opportunities for an undergrad to see some testing done depending on the work environment.

 

[deleted106747]

Maybe you haven't as you sit there and proclaim that those of us who criticized your lack of tack and compassion for clients as needing to "get off your high horses." Would you like a side order of judgmental attitude with that?

This thread is inappropriate save for the fact that it discusses naive mistakes made by our junior colleagues. It's not about being on my high horse but knowing how to show some decorum and class.

If you knew me, you would probably be shocked that I am the one who feels this strongly as I am very much a fly by the seat of my pants and lets throw the book out the window kind of guy. However as a former business owner, you know better than to denigrate your clients.

Here is a humorous story for you. When I owned an ISP (Internet Service Provider) my tech support staff created what they called the "cannot win" list. These were customers who no matter how hard they tried simply were not cut out for the digital age and whom were persistent in attempting to resolve these issues. I was unaware that they had actually put this list in the lobby of my business at the front desk on a white board. It stated boldly at the top: "Cannot Win" with a list of usernames below... now granted, in private conversation their exploits were humorous. Some of these people should have never been given a computer without dedicated staff to help them. It became far less funny however when a customer came in to pay her bill and saw her name on the "cannot win list." I nearly lost that customer, and that was just a $20 a month internet account. Here we are dealing with people who are being assessed for reasons unknown. Often the results of testing, especially in children, can have life long implications. As a profession we are given a great deal of trust, we need to preserve that trust. Yes, there is a time and place for humorous stories... this is not it.

Mark

Agreed. After further thought I agree that it's not a violation of the ethics code in terms of client confidentiality. But I'd like to put myself in the "in bad taste" camp. I do know someone who read a therapist's blog and decided to never get therapy because she now believes that it wouldn't be confidential. And while this thread may not have taken off with people sharing jokes about clients, it could have, and trust me, there have been a variety of weird coincidences with what people locate on the internet. It's my area of research.

I'm also not a pole-up-the-ass kind of person in real life. But I never discuss clients with friends. I do discuss them with other students and colleagues because they are in the profession. There's one poster who said something about having dinner with a therapist & client discussion. That shocks me. I'd never, ever discuss clients at dinner with friends. It's simply not good behavior, for so many reasons. I can't believe that therapists don't know better - you never know who knows whom! My first priority in all of this is the health and well being of my clients, and that includes deserving the trust they give me when they step into my office.

 

[myelin]

Well, Mark, the OP didn't give the names of the clients as the company did in your story. The op gave one line of dialogue that's essentially completely untraceable. IF someone HAD given a name or something, then obviously it would be a problem. But no one did. I agree with the op that some posters were reacting in a manner far beyond what the situation called for (aside from the test questions issue).

I seriously doubt that every single one of the posters on this board never ever talks about clients, especially since I hear people in my program yak about clients all the time.

I'd share a weird story if I had one. Someone one talked for an hour and a half without interruption for me, and did a pretty good job on herself, but I think that's pretty common. 🙂

It's one thing to talk about clients among colleagues, closed door. It's another thing to talk about them openly on a public internet forum.

Let's say that you're in need of mental health services and you google the word "psychologist" and SDN is listed at the top. You click on the link which takes you to this section of the forum where the first topic is "client gems." You're a fairly sensitive person and as you read some of the posts poking fun at clients and you think, gee, I don't think I want to go see one of "those" people. My story might end up all over the internet.

You do know that this forum is indexed by Google, right?

Query "client gems" and look what the first entry is...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=client+gems

 

[myelin]

the OP was told what she did wrong, she didn't need to be made fun of afterwards. It's absolutely a good thing to address a colleague when they're doing something wrong but perhaps laughing at them and saying you can't understand how someone forgets something like test security is not the most tactful way.

I'm not sure if you thought my comments were directed at the OP or you. They were indeed directed at your comments. I literally thought you were joking when you said that the OP just forgot about test security. Furthermore, I never said that I was tactful!

The OP stated that they are an undergraduate. Ok, it's no wonder they weren't aware of the APA ethics code.

 

[deleted106747]

I apologise to all of the toes on which I have stepped. Seems like that's the whole lot of you practically.
And I thank the few who've defended my cause.

In my defense, I am not yet in grad school and have not yet become BFFs with the ethical code. So sorry for being a young grasshopper (like you almost-doctors once were) who didn't know better. I was merely observing assessments and found those responses cute. Much in the same way I would share a story of a little neighbor's naivety.
And before posting this thread I did a search that yielded results similar to the post on ER stories (thanks by the way, funny stuff! kill me for having a sense of humor!) and so thought it would be ok to follow similar lines here.

I've learnt my lesson. I now sleep with the Code under my pillow.



If you all think you can get off your high horses and post gems/insights, great. If not, close the thread. Call it a day. Get back to work.

IMO it isn't the same thing. The crux of the therapeutic relationship is trust. If I don't trust my therapist, I'm not going to tell her anything and treatment won't continue. The crux of one's relationship with one's ER doc isn't trust to the same degree. They can fix your broken leg if you trust them or not. I still think it's in bad taste, but not as much as a thread inviting people to chuckle at their clients in a public forum.

From your last line, where you still ask people to post "client gems" it sounds like you disagree. Oh well. I've said my piece, you obviously are going to have your own opinion about this stuff.

 

[JockNerd]

It's one thing to talk about clients among colleagues, closed door. It's another thing to talk about them openly on a public internet forum.

Let's say that you're in need of mental health services and you google the word "psychologist" and SDN is listed at the top. You click on the link which takes you to this section of the forum where the first topic is "client gems." You're a fairly sensitive person and as you read some of the posts poking fun at clients and you think, gee, I don't think I want to go see one of "those" people. My story might end up all over the internet.

You do know that this forum is indexed by Google, right?

Query "client gems" and look what the first entry is...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=client+gems

Why would anyone do a search for "client gems"?

No, I still think the single lines of dialogue aren't at all inappropriate.

Edit: Well, not at all unethical, rather. Maybe sorta weird.

 

[myelin]

Why would anyone do a search for "client gems"?

No, I still think the single lines of dialogue aren't at all inappropriate.

Edit: Well, not at all unethical, rather. Maybe sorta weird.

I have absolutely NO IDEA JockNerd, but it does show that Google indexes SDN which was my point.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

This thread has been a nice look at the range of opinions on issues of confidentiality, handling non-identifying info, etc. I tend to fall on the conservative side when talking about patients, and even when speaking with colleagues I try to be really careful. With that being said, I can see how anecdotes can be useful, though the humor thing has always been different for psych. The other thread talks about physical ailments, and there seems to be a very different perception when people go from physical to mental problems.