The Ethical Dilemma of Playing Both a Therapeutic and a Forensic Role: the Difference

Forensic psychologists- Use their knowledge to help with law enforcement, lawyers, consult the jury, and more. They are clinical psychologists but may have also studied law

In addition to education, is the importance of training in this field. It takes specialized qualifications to have the ability to do this job. In the column “Criminal Psychologist Career: Job Duties, Skills, and Education,” the author writes about some of the qualifications needed to do this job. “Criminal psychologists must be adept at communicating effectively with others, including listening actively, and empathically. As a result, they must be experts in psychology, law, and oftentimes forensics as well,” (“Criminal Psychologist Career: Job Duties, Skills, and Education” 3). The people who decide to work this job must have the ability to listen and communicate with the criminals set before them. When the need arises the

Besides the psychological side of the evaluation it is necessary for the forensic psychologist to record and gather information on the client. For instance: Clinical and collateral interviews need to be conducted, parent-child observation, and psychological testing. The psychologist for the most part might have to testify in court to discuss the different points related to the findings of the evaluation. Whether the forensic evaluator is working for the prosecution or the defendant side the work is still equally

They may be brought in to evaluate a defendant’s psychological state at the time they committed the offence. In addition, psychologists may be needed to judge the validity of a confession. Forensics can also work in the area of consulting, in which they may help a lawyer select jury for a trial or assist death investigators clarify unclear death determinations.

The clinician develops a professional relationship with the client in order to assess and treat their disorder. A Forensic psychologist work requirements are different from a clinician in the field of psychology because the services he/she provides are in areas where they have specialized knowledge, skills, experience and education. He/she administers assessments to determine competency to stand trial and can testify as an expert witness. The forensic psychologist does not have a professional relationship with the client as their main focus is assessing the individual in order to submit a report to the court (Hubaboom, 2002).

When thinking about a career path after conducting my research in the various fields available in the area of psychology, I have taken an interest in becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. This is partly due to my exposure to working alongside with clinicians in community based settings, particularly family’s that have been affected one way or another by county systems such as the Department of Children and Family Services and Department of Probation. After attaining direct experience working with families, I am interested in working in upper management supervising other clinicians, offering support and guidance with regards to their families. I have some interest in forensic psychology but have not obtained enough information on the field in order to determine if it is area that I would like to pursue.

1). Forensic Psychology is the application of the theories of psychology to law and the legal system. Issues of violence and its impact on individuals and/or groups delineate the main and central concerns in Forensics within the adult, juvenile, civil, and family domains. Forensic psychologists provide advice to legislators, judges, correctional officers, lawyers, and the police. They are called upon, for example, to serve as an expert witness, diagnose and treat incarcerated and probationed offenders, and screen and evaluate personnel in the law enforcement and judicial systems. Forensics encompasses a wide range of academic orientation. Synonyms for Forensic psychologists include criminal psychologist,

In order to understand how this may be done, allow me to define Forensic Psychology. You see forensic psychology is the practice of psychology related to the legal system. This involves relationships with federal, local, and state law enforcement agencies; attorneys and the court; corrections and treatment facilities; and working with people whose behavior or situation leads them into involvement with the courts.

I went to a forensics psychology seminar and listened to Dr. Lilijequist talk about her experience has a forensics psychologist. She said that “forensics psychologists are not as cool as they seem on tv, and that all they do is assess and evaluate prisoners, and people getting ready to testify at court to see if they are mental stable”. She said that “some lawyers would call her up and say that they want her to come to this conclusion about their client”. Also, she said “that most forensics psychologists have a code of ethics and morals they follow, and that they would not listen to a lawyer when they want a certain illness listed”. When she talked about the code of ethics and morals; I started to see where forensics psychology was a part

Are also matters that are handled from someone working in the forensics of psychology. Becoming a successful forensic psychologist requires at least the solid clinical psychology training and experience. Firm grounding in scientific theory and empirical research “understanding of scientific validity, research design, statistics, and testing” critical thinking skills thorough knowledge of social and cultural issues legal knowledge “including mental health law, case law, and courtroom procedures” excellent writing skills strong oral presentation skills and the ability to maintain one's composure under stress. Forensic Psychologists apply psychology to criminal justice. Although similar in some aspects, forensic psychology is different than forensic science.

By definition in the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists, ‘psychologist’ refers to persons who, in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA) or state registration/licensure, practice psychology in a professional capacity. A ‘forensic psychology’ is the act of working, professionally, as a ‘psychological expert’ within the court system. Finally, a ‘forensic psychologist’ is the aforementioned psychologist working in the also defined field of forensic psychology (Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, 1991, p. 657).

Forensic psychologists also have a hand in many tasks in the world of adult corrections. The psychologists have a clear understanding of the legal rights of inmates which include the right to receive or deny treatment. The professionals also review psychological effects on imprisonment and develop different handlings and methods for both correctional officers and inmates.

A Forensic Psychologist focuses on “why people do bad things, why they commit crimes, lie to police officers, and treat their children abusively” (AllPsychologyCareers). There is this fascination with criminals and the psychopathy behind their actions and thoughts. According to All Psychology Careers, this field of study focuses on all types of research in psychology including clinical, developmental, social, clinical, behavioral and neuropsychological to blend together ideas and studies to apply to criminal action. The major focus of forensic psychologist is criminology and law because there needs to be a broad understanding of how the judicial system works and what statutes apply in what states. This type of work can be applied in many different settings such as prisons, correctional facilities, court systems, government agencies, parole boards and research.

In addition, whereas in clinical psychology, there is one 'client' (the subject being treated or analyzed), in forensic psychology, there are many 'clients' (the court, the prosecution/defense, the jury, etc.). Therefore, although by constitution forensic psychological assessments do not vary greatly from clinical forensic assessments, by nature and by virtue of the role they are expected to play in the legal system, they are very different.

Forensic psychology deals with both the offenders of the law, and the victims (AGCAS). Although many people think of a forensic psychologist as what they see on television shows, profiling and finding the actual offenders is a tiny part of what the title actually works as (AGCAS). The majority of forensic psychologists work in prisons, probation services, hospitals, and the National Health Service (AGCAS). Those who work in the Prison Service offer one on one sessions with offenders. They also assess whether they are at risk to themselves, others within the prison, or the public, if they have the possibility of being released, by instituting rehabilitation programs, probation programs, and any other mental and emotional therapy they require (AGCAS).