Agens Scientiam

Career

Terminating Services for Personal Reasons

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on May 9, 2024

A client is getting on your nerves. You feel it’s not good for your mental health to continue to work with them. How can you terminate work without incurring a malpractice lawsuit?

A client is getting on your nerves. You feel it’s not good for your mental health to continue to work with them. How can you terminate work without incurring a malpractice lawsuit?

Career

Client Abandonment, Malpractice, and Professional Self-Care

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on May 7, 2024

Let's say you don’t think it’s good for your mental health to continue working with a particular client. How can you terminate work without being sued for malpractice?

Let's say you don’t think it’s good for your mental health to continue working with a particular client. How can you terminate work without being sued for malpractice?

Law and Crime

Motions to Quash a Subpoena

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on April 4, 2024

You've just been served a subpoena. You let your client know so they can file a motion to quash the subpoena. The client asks you to file for them. What's your next move?

You've just been served a subpoena. You let your client know so they can file a motion to quash the subpoena. The client asks you to file for them. What's your next move?

Education

Legal Restrictions on Diversity Trainings

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on March 20, 2024

When developing trainings for MHPs, you may want to include the latest theory and research on culture, disability, gender, and diversity. But hold on! Some states may forbid it.

When developing trainings for MHPs, you may want to include the latest theory and research on culture, disability, gender, and diversity. But hold on! Some states may forbid it.

Goldwater Rule

The Perils of Diagnosing Politicians

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on February 11, 2024

Federal elections are coming up. There is a candidate for office who you suspect has a mental health condition that compromises their ability to serve. Should you share your diagnosis with others?

Federal elections are coming up. There is a candidate for office who you suspect has a mental health condition that compromises their ability to serve. Should you share your diagnosis with others?

Ethics and Morality

Are Therapists Required to Serve Every Client?

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on January 22, 2024

Imagine that a client experiencing panic attacks reaches out to you for counseling. Are you obliged to serve them even if they belong to a group you find offensive?

Imagine that a client experiencing panic attacks reaches out to you for counseling. Are you obliged to serve them even if they belong to a group you find offensive?

Ethics and Morality

The Ethics of Electronic Searches for Client Information

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on December 20, 2023

If your client seems to be spinning tall tales, you may be curious to know whether their stories are true. Is it ethical to search their social media?

If your client seems to be spinning tall tales, you may be curious to know whether their stories are true. Is it ethical to search their social media?

Ethics and Morality

Duty to Protect and the “Red Flag” Option

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on November 30, 2023

Balancing public safety, client confidentiality, and autonomy.

Balancing public safety, client confidentiality, and autonomy.

Law and Crime

Agents of Knowledge

Allan E. Barsky PhD, MSW, JD on November 18, 2023

"I'm a mental health professional, not an attorney. Why do I need to know about the law? Can't I just refer clients to an attorney?"

"I'm a mental health professional, not an attorney. Why do I need to know about the law? Can't I just refer clients to an attorney?"