Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Psychology
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology [18 VAC 125 ‑ 20]
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5/2/16  2:20 pm
Commenter: Peter L. Sheras, PhD, ABPP,, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Wieriman Petition regarding evaluation of counseling/Reject this petition
 

I am a practcing Clinical Psychologist and trainer in the Commonwealth for more than 40 years. I train clinicians and work in University settings and independent practice. This petition lacks any clear thought or eye toward implementation. Evalution of outcomes is certainly important, but Clinical Psychologsts are involved in much more than counseling (e.g. psychological assessment, psychotherapy, health consultations, diagnosis, etc.) and evaluating their success is complicated and involves the need for many special safeguards of confidentiality and practical definitions of success. Positive outcomes are not always measurable in the short term and may involved the interaction of many dfferent interventions and professionals. Simply asking people often how they are doing does not take into account response biases, cultural and ethnic differences, psychological processes and life experiences. Accountability for practitioners is important but what is proposed here is too simplistic and not well informed by scientific method or even good practice. Please reject this petition! Most informed and well trained psycholgists would not support this petition."


 

CommentID: 49754