Related FAQS
May I provide a professional opinion about a client, when the information is likely to be used for purposes unrelated to the focus of the service I have provided?
Originally published in Volume: 1 Issue: 4 of HeadLines
This question often arises when a member has been treating or assessing a client where the primary focus of clinical attention has not involved an assessment of the factors bearing upon the opinion being sought. This may occur, for example, when a member has conducted a psychoeducational assessment, or treatment for an anxiety disorder, and the member is later asked to provide information to be used in a parental rights matter. Another example is when a member has provided psychotherapy to address a client’s emotional disorder and is then asked to provide a letter regarding the individual’s readiness to return to work after an injury.
In providing professional opinions, a member must consider the following requirement in section 10.3 of the Standards:
10.3 Rendering Opinions
A member must render only those professional opinions that are based on current, reliable, adequate, and appropriate information.
In the first example above, a member should only provide information that they can reasonably expect to be used to determine custody or access arrangements if they have conducted an appropriate assessment for the purpose of determining child custody and/or access. Likewise, in the second example, a member should only opine on a person’s suitability to return to work after appropriate consideration of the person’s rehabilitation needs and the task requirements of the workplace.
Members must ensure that they work only within their authorized areas of practice and provide only those services in which they have the adequate knowledge, skill, and experience, within those authorized areas.
Even when a member is authorized and qualified to provide an opinion unrelated to the service they have been providing, and have conducted an adequate assessment, problems may arise if they assume a dual role. Usually, such requests for information are related to the rights and entitlements of the client. They also have an impact on others, such as family members, colleagues, or employers. A clinician who has not conducted an appropriate, objective assessment of the matter at hand can face challenges with respect to whether they have exercised sufficient neutrality. There may also be a perceived conflict of interest if it appears that a continued professional relationship could be endangered by offering an opinion that is seen to be unfavourable to the client’s interests.
When Scoring and Analyzing tests for which there are norm-based results, how should one proceed when the patient does not belong to the group upon which the norms are based?
This can be the case with respect to such factors as age, language, race, culture, or gender diversity and is a legitimate concern. In the absence of appropriate norms, one would need to use clinical judgment to interpret the client’s response to items and, in accordance with the following Standards:
Multiple Service Relationships: Would it be problematic if I were to conduct an assessment of a client I provided therapy to last year?
As you likely know, dual relationships are not strictly prohibited but should be avoided, unless the client is unable to find another competent and available service provider.
Before agreeing to provide the service, you may wish to think about whether your previous professional relationship could lead to any concerns that this assessment was anything less than highly objective. While you are likely to work hard to remain objective, this can be difficult if you do hope for a particular outcome for a client you have supported through their struggles. Even if you can be perfectly objective, if your findings were to be challenged, it could be alleged that you weren’t, due to your previous alliance with the client.
It would also be important to consider whether there is any possibility that the client may seek intervention from you in the future, and whether your role as an assessor might prevent them from doing so. This could be the case if they were unhappy with the outcome of the assessment and this prevented them from returning to therapy with you, causing them to have to “start all over again” with another therapist.
Although multiple relationships are not strictly prohibited, the College has observed that members trying to be helpful by having multiple different service relationships with the same clients have inadvertently entered into challenging situations.