What security measures do clinical psychologists take to ensure their patient won't harm them during treatment
Answer:
As you become more experienced you will develop a sense of who may be dangerous. Of course there is no guarantee. Every type of work has some danger, even being a clerk in a business office. If someone gives you a bad vibe you may have to change the circumstances of where or how you see them or you might have to terminate with them (ie: leave door open; meet where other therapists are working, instead of private office; tell them how they are making you feel, etc). If you work in a group practice setting or in an agency, you will not be as isolated. Not that it never happens, but it is rare for a client or patient to attack their therapist. If they want to hurt you, there is not much you can do about it. Usually, if they believe that you are sincere, even if you have to report them for something or thwart them in some other way, they will still respect you. Normally, you are helping them and as long as they see you in that role, they usually do not want to harm you, but again, you are dealing with people with problems and who may not think logically and there are no guarantees. Most people are not so disturbed that they do not see the consequences of attacking their therapist or psychologist. Most people are not that vicious or violent. You will screen them before you begin working with them if you are in pvt practice and if you are working in an agency, someone will screen them and you will read their chart and bring up concerns with your supervisor. Some patients are given a male therapist because of a tendency to act out or lose impulse control. Some people may only be seen in a group. Some people have to be referred to a hospital clinic where there are security guards and perhaps metal detectors. Do not work with patients who you do not feel equipped to deal with.
strap a gun to the underside of your desk, keep it pointed at them...
Therapists have to be able to trust their clients to form an effective therapeutic alliance. Most of your clients probably won't be very dangerous anyway.
Unless you are working with an inherently dangerous population, it is unlikely that you will have a patient try to harm you. However, nothing is certain. Psychologists have been killed by their clients and there is always the possibility of some risk. Psychologists should be trained in how to de-escalate risky situations. As well, offices can be set up to minimize risk. In places where the risk is potentially high, there are things like "panic buttons" which can be placed under a desk to sound an alarm, or to alert others in the office that there is a problem. However, the best strategy is to know your clients and to thoroughly assess the situation, so that you avoid putting yourself into harms way to begin with.
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