Scared to be in your Office?

[necodaak8]

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I have a question for practicing Psychologists. Are you ever afraid when a client walks into your practice because you wonder whether or not the individual might have a knife or weapon on themselves? Or scared that if the conversation gets out of hand the patient will get physically abusive? I am curious about some of your experiences!

 

[erg923]

Although a valid concerned (and its happened before) I am comforted by the statistics on this one. However, you always sit in the seat closeest to the door with nothing impeding the exit, and one always keeps an eye out for warning signs of potential violence/threats, etc. in the patients that they are seeing. Also, try never to be the only one in the building (or in the clinic) when seeing patients. Panic buttons are also common in therapy rooms.

Yes, i have had patients get verbally upset and abusive--its called transference😉.....or (in an assessment situation) they sometimes simply dont want/feel that a particular assessment is necessary and they get loud and storm out. Comes with the territory I suppose.

 

[KillerDiller]

I find that it is comforting to know how the security systems operate at wherever I am working. For example, before I start seeing clients, I make sure I know how to call for back-up, know who is on duty when, know where and how to get help in the room fast.

That being said, I've never felt unsafe actually sitting in a room with a client. As a trainee it is nice to have certain protections in place. For example, I know I can leave any situation I find to be unsafe and I will have the staff's full support in that decision. Hopefully that will continue to be true at all levels.

 

[PsyDWannabe]

I have a question for practicing Psychologists. Are you ever afraid when a client walks into your practice because you wonder whether or not the individual might have a knife or weapon on themselves? Or scared that if the conversation gets out of hand the patient will get physically abusive? I am curious about some of your experiences!

Interestingly enough, that has always been a concern of mine since like high school. I ask all my psych profs (and even some grad students) and they laugh cos they think I'm trying to be funny. I'm like "uh......seriously."

 

[deleted176373]

Personally, I am appalled that psychologists are expected to be disarmed when seeing clients. While violence against psychologists is uncommon it does happen, and I believe that all psychologists should have some basic self-defense skills (enough to create distance between them and an attacker.)

I believe that concealed carry is a reasonable and prudent measure, regardless of profession. The world is a dangerous place and you have two choices...

1. You can be the person without the gun (whether you need it or not.)

or

2. You can be the person with the gun (whether you need it or not.)

Some people prefer to be #1, and I personally would always chose to fall into category #2. However there are situations where that may not be an option.

That said, I have never felt afraid of a patient, but I have been called in to be backup. It's easy to see how some of these guys could be scary and having a second person in the room often is enough to de-escalate the situation.

Mark

 

[phillydave]

Personally, I am appalled that psychologists are expected to be disarmed when seeing clients. While violence against psychologists is uncommon it does happen, and I believe that all psychologists should have some basic self-defense skills (enough to create distance between them and an attacker.)

I believe that concealed carry is a reasonable and prudent measure, regardless of profession. The world is a dangerous place and you have two choices...

1. You can be the person without the gun (whether you need it or not.)

or

2. You can be the person with the gun (whether you need it or not.)

Some people prefer to be #1, and I personally would always chose to fall into category #2. However there are situations where that may not be an option.

That said, I have never felt afraid of a patient, but I have been called in to be backup. It's easy to see how some of these guys could be scary and having a second person in the room often is enough to de-escalate the situation.

Mark

I keep two 357 magnums under my seat at all times. I also have a "panic" grenade in my top left desk drawer just in case things get hairy.

 

[deleted176373]

I keep two 357 magnums under my seat at all times. I also have a "panic" grenade in my top left desk drawer just in case things get hairy.

I don't have any data to support it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that Gun Free Zones seem to often fail to be effective when mass murderers and criminals get involved. Then again, in NYC where guns are banned, you might just get hacked to death with a large knife instead... and we all know that's much better. 🙂

Mark

 

[phillydave]

I don't have any data to support it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that Gun Free Zones seem to often fail to be effective when mass murderers and criminals get involved.

Mark

I totally agree. That's why I'm armed to the teeth.

Ps. Knives are for suckers. 😀

 

[PsyDWannabe]

I don't have any data to support it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that Gun Free Zones seem to often fail to be effective when mass murderers and criminals get involved. Then again, in NYC where guns are banned, you might just get hacked to death with a large knife instead... and we all know that's much better. 🙂

Mark

Dude, don't joke. That's actually happened in NYC to some female therapist. Big knife and everything. I remember reading about it and going. "whoa. bad day to be a therapist in NYC".

 

[Aura5]

Interesting topic. I certainly think it's a legitimate concern, particular if the patient clientele are known for being violent/acting out. Definitely having security nearby would be a plus for a psychologist. Psychologists delve into the minds of troubled people and...s/he might just be the one the patient wants to take it out on if something goes wrong in his/her life.

But then, to put my cynical two cents in. Frankly that kind of thing can happen anywhere, at any profession, or even just eating a sandwich at Subway. All it takes is one very disgruntled, for whatever multitude of reasons, and determined person.

Obviously some occupations are higher risk, but I'm just sayin'...

 

[Aura5]

While violence against psychologists is uncommon it does happen, and I believe that all psychologists should have some basic self-defense skills (enough to create distance between them and an attacker.)

I definitely agree with that...and I think depending on where the psychologist is employed, they might do that. Like, I volunteered one place and am working at another (a hospital) and they both included some sort of 'self-defense' training in orientation. Not in a retaliating way, but to prevent injury more or less if attacked.

 

[phillydave]

I definitely agree with that...and I think depending on where the psychologist is employed, they might do that. Like, I volunteered one place and am working at another (a hospital) and they both included some sort of 'self-defense' training in orientation. Not in a retaliating way, but to prevent injury more or less if attacked.

Yeah, self-defense was actually part of the orientation at my current job, now that I think back...

 

[psychstudent613]

I don't have any data to support it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that Gun Free Zones seem to often fail to be effective when mass murderers and criminals get involved. Then again, in NYC where guns are banned, you might just get hacked to death with a large knife instead... and we all know that's much better. 🙂

Mark

Glad I'm not the only one, but if we want to practice in certain states- start calling your representatives now! (or that states)... Help us get the right to protect ourselves!!! (If you dont call them cuz you live in an area that allows it, I move to your state and you lose clients! 🙂)
For data, check "Guns, Crime and Freedom" and "More Guns, Less Crime". Must read out there... real data on real studies and real research.
Any sort of gun control, whether forbidding concealed carry or making gun free zones, just increase crime cuz the criminals know that no one will be able to stop them. They are already willing to break one law, why not 2? Want to know how great the police are, Feinstein in CA has one of the few carry permits granted and she has private security detail!! 😡

Do hospitals and other institutions we might be working at (if not in private practice) allow you to carry concealed?

 

[deleted176373]

Dude, don't joke. That's actually happened in NYC to some female therapist. Big knife and everything. I remember reading about it and going. "whoa. bad day to be a therapist in NYC".

I wasn't joking, I was thinking about that same incident. It doesn't matter whether you are killed by a gun, knife, car, bare hands... dead is dead.

I'm sorry if it came off flippantly, but we have seen the results of unarmed people victimized by someone who is armed often enough that we should learn the lesson that not being the armed one does not make you safer.

Mark

 

[PsyDWannabe]

I wasn't joking, I was thinking about that same incident. It doesn't matter whether you are killed by a gun, knife, car, bare hands... dead is dead.

I'm sorry if it came off flippantly, but we have seen the results of unarmed people victimized by someone who is armed often enough that we should learn the lesson that not being the armed one does not make you safer.

Mark

Oh, of course. I know you weren't joking, it's just an expression 😉. I completely get your point though, dead is dead regardless. You can be in the group who is at the mercy of others, or you can have some forethought and learn how to protect yourself just in case.

 

[Aura5]

Glad I'm not the only one, but if we want to practice in certain states- start calling your representatives now! (or that states)... Help us get the right to protect ourselves!!! (If you dont call them cuz you live in an area that allows it, I move to your state and you lose clients! 🙂)
For data, check "Guns, Crime and Freedom" and "More Guns, Less Crime". Must read out there... real data on real studies and real research.
Any sort of gun control, whether forbidding concealed carry or making gun free zones, just increase crime cuz the criminals know that no one will be able to stop them. They are already willing to break one law, why not 2? Want to know how great the police are, Feinstein in CA has one of the few carry permits granted and she has private security detail!! 😡

Do hospitals and other institutions we might be working at (if not in private practice) allow you to carry concealed?

While I'm not for gun control...meaning I am for people having the right to have guns...carrying around guns in a mental hospital rubs me wrong. I know the assumption is that the owner of the gun is knowledged about it, and its safety, etc. but what if during a code or something, the patient gets a hold of it. Just seems like it might cause trouble. Patients are generally stripped of contraband before going to the units so I doubt they'd be carrying around weapons themselves. At least one would hope that wouldn't slip through the cracks.

In a private office, though, I can see having one.

 

[bmedclinic]

I think the only time I've been concerned with clients is when I was working in a facility with felons. They said they weren't dangerous, and my patients all turned out to not be dangerous at all, but I was a tad freaked when they went through the security procedures and use terminology such as "when they come after you".

But normally, im not concerned at all. So far, when people have been upset, I've had pretty good success in verbally disarming them.

 

[PhDToBe]

Does anyone know if psychologists/therapists are allowed to have some type of firearm/protection when working in the Bureau of Prisons, or any other prison, especially maximum security prisons? Also, does anyone know if there is a panic button available?

I know that doing assessments with prisoners is usually safe, as the prisoner has his/her ankles shackled, and wrists, too, whenever s/he does not need them undone for a test. I don't know if this is true for those psychologists who actually work at prisons, but my advisor does death penalty assessments and told me this, and it is in his clients' charts, too.

 

[deleted176373]

While I'm not for gun control...meaning I am for people having the right to have guns...carrying around guns in a mental hospital rubs me wrong. I know the assumption is that the owner of the gun is knowledged about it, and its safety, etc. but what if during a code or something, the patient gets a hold of it. Just seems like it might cause trouble. Patients are generally stripped of contraband before going to the units so I doubt they'd be carrying around weapons themselves. At least one would hope that wouldn't slip through the cracks.

In a private office, though, I can see having one.

It depends, if you are in a prison, usually the guards in the towers have guns. The guards who are down on the floor typically don't carry a gun. Why? Because they are out numbered and in close proximity to people known to be criminals and who would likely use sheer force of numbers to obtain firearms. Usually, since the goal in control as opposed to defense, guards are armed with less lethal means of ensuring control (tasers, pepper spray, hand cuffs, etc.) Still should the need arise, a weapons greatest advantage is distance. The guy in the tower can shoot, when and if needed.

Prisoners are KNOWN for creativity in developing and hiding weapons. They save these weapons primarily to extract revenge... since using them will almost always result in their loss.

If you are being protected by someone with a gun in close proximity, that's usually adequate for protection. It's when there is no one to assist in keeping you safe that things get dangerous.

Mark

 

[Psyched2525]

Dude, don't joke. That's actually happened in NYC to some female therapist. Big knife and everything. I remember reading about it and going. "whoa. bad day to be a therapist in NYC".

Yes, I live in NYC and it was a terrible day!

 

[Psyched2525]

I worked in a sex offender civil commitment center which is technically/legally run by DHS, but is under the protection of DOC. DOC officers are not allowed to carry anything since it's a mental health facility. If something happens, the protocol is: take care of yourself.