Why is my therapist not willing to give me a psychological evaluation?

[paulfromero]

hello,

   I have been employed at my work for 6 years. An acting boss did not really like me, and found a way to get me in trouble. It started out as a sexual harrassment complaint, then he told me to go. I was placed on 'emergency removal' because I was considered potentially harmful to myself and others. That was over two months ago. Three weeks ago, I was given a psychological evaluation at management expense. After not receiving any answers from management regarding my status, my brother contacted an outside lawyer on my behalf. This outside lawyer is solely to assist my union representative. One of the things he suggested is to receive a psychological evaluation from my therapist, who had been with me for about 5 years; I would then give her report to the union representative, and she would then give it to management. The reason for this second evaluation, according to this lawyer who traditionally represents management's side, is that employee psychological evaluations are one-sided, favoring a management's desire for termination.

   Today, I called my therapist, who I go see for general long-term mental health and is a licensed Psychologist, and she refused to provide a report. She stated that she is my current therapist, and that she doesnt want to be put on the witness stand, so to speak. Its hard to really decipher what she was saying. In any case, she gave me the names and numbers of two doctors that could give evaluation and report. I called their answering machines to arrange an appointment. By the way, my Psychologist offered to give 'an opinion' to the recommended doctors mentioned above.

    My question is: Do I have a right to have her give me a psychological evaluation and report? Is this a decision based on professional ethics, or is she just thinking about how much money she can continue make from me if she can weasel out of giving an unfavorable  report? After, she has never told me in the 5 years what my diagnosis is.

Sincerely,

hardly working but operating on all cyclinders.

[jeremiahjal]

Your privacy is important, not your therapists. You should know your own diagnosis at the very least.
ASK YOUR LAWYER -
*Why he wants it (You have this, if you actually spoke to the lawyer)
*How it could help you
*How it could hurt you
*If getting the evaluation means it HAS to be used in court
*If getting the evaluation means your therapist can be forced, or has, to testify
*The legal (or any other difference) between evaluation and opinion - in context with your particular situation.

[Dr. Mike]

I am a psychologist, and have been court ordered to testify on a number of occasions.  I wanted to address your therapist/psychologist not wanting to do an evaluation.  I agree with a number of responses already posted: this is standard practice(not to testify).  There are multiple reasons why.  One has already been mentioned: the opposing lawyer can ask anything about intimate details of your sessions with your therapist.  Another good one is that it is easy for the opposing lawyer to discredit your psychologist:" so, Dr. X, how many work related evaluations have you done?" "so, Dr. X, how do you ensure that your bias toward your client as a paying customer ongoing does not influence you making an overly positive assessment of her?", etc. Like shooting fish in a barrel.  The most important is the clear separation necessary between treatment and evaluation.  Treatment, by definition, requires an ongoing sense of trust on the part of a client, which includes careful attention to avoiding intrusion on the part of the therapist.  This means not "digging around" for information/revelation too soon that might be painful or too difficult at the time.  Evaluation, on the otherhand, is a fact finding mission first and foremost.  It can be intrusive, uncomfortable, and has nothing to do with healing, personal change or improved functioning.
If you feel that your therapist has some alterior(cash) motive, you probably do not have the level of trust in him/her necessary for you to benefit from the therapeutic relationship.  Consider changing therapists.  And, in general, psychologists have little interest in working with clients who are not benefitting from their services, or unncessarily prolonging treatment, both by personal inclination as well as ethical requirement.  Good luck.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

this response is not unethical or uncommon. She may be trying to protect you because if she writes a report as your treating doctor, and this is on a witness stand, your confidentiality is breeched and they can ask her all sorts of personal questions about you that are not relevant, and then twist them around.  Her suggestion is a good compromise for you.

[hey3]

Hard working,

Sorry to hear about your problem.  My therapist told me I could see mine at anytime.  I have been told your medical records are yours.  You can request them at anytime or see them at anytime.  Therapist don't like getting involved in court battles.  They know too much information about you ect.  It may hurt you to have you therapist on the stand.  .

Hey