Licensing Board Complaints: Minimizing the Impact on the Psychologist's Defense and Clinical Practice.

Abstract

Most psychologists who face board complaints experience significant personal and professional distress. As a result, they become vulnerable to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses that may compromise their clinical work as well as their ability to defend themselves. Awareness of some of the most common sources of distress associated with complaints can allow psychologists to take steps to minimize, if not obviate, problematic countertransference, impaired objectivity, and self-defeating responses throughout and beyond the complaint investigation and adjudication process. Further, awareness of these pitfalls can inform the work of the supervisors, consultants, and psychotherapists who assist psychologists facing ethics complaints.

Psychological Safety for Mental Health Practitioners: Suggestions from a Defense Lawyer

“…Thomas (2005) speculates: BThe abundance of recent publications and commensurate awareness undoubtedly contribute to psychologists' fears of becoming the subject of a complaint^(p. 426). After attending a seminar on risk management, many attendees will over-react and sense that the risk of a complaint is greater than is the reality (Montgomery, Cupit, & Wimberley, 1999;Van Horne, 2004).…”

Parenting plan evaluation standards and guidelines for psychologists: Setting the frame

“…It may take years for a board to process a complaint (Thomas, 2005), during which time the evaluator must report the complaint to the professional malpractice insurance carrier, third party payor panels on which the evaluator serves, and any professional licensing boards and professional organizations to which the practitioner applies for licensure or membership status or renewal. Any of these reports may be expected to require provision of additional information and ultimately may affect the practitioner's professional viability and capacity to maintain the previous level of practice.…”

Seven year overview (2007—2013) of ethical transgressions by registered healthcare professionals in South Africa

“…Thus, it is no surprise that patients who seek medical assistance and/or care have become increasingly well-informed about their rights, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of those providing care. A significant contribution to this awareness is the everexpanding influence of printed and electronic media where information enables patients to pose educated questions, to become more sophisticated consumers, and to appropriately address healthcare professionals' errors and/or misconduct (Thomas, 2005). As such, many patients ("healthcare consumers") are increasingly becoming aware of the structures and processes to lodge a complaint with relevant health professional regulatory bodies when they are of the opinion that healthcare professionals' ("healthcare providers") behaviour have had a negative effect, impact or outcome on them.…”