Therapists' obligations to report their patients' criminal acts (original) (raw)

In this commentary, I reflect on the narratives of offending that are generated in the courtroom and those that are generated in the therapeutic space between an offender patient and his or her therapist. I discuss the similarities and differences between these different stories and explore the role of the psychiatrist in both cases.

Mandatory reporting of historical and current sexual abuse, criminal behaviour and intent, is a stipulated exception to the psychoanalytic principle of confidentiality which underpins the concept of free association. This paper is a brief prepared for psychoanalysts and psychodynamic therapists confronting the dilemmas posed by this breach of their treatment principles and ethics.

This presentation outlines possible questions of discussion surrounding the topic of Therapist Self-Disclosure in Forensic Settings. It was presented as part of a graduate seminar, "issues in Forensic Psychotherapy" led by Dr. Yael Idisis, Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University.

Many therapists are unsure of how to respond to reports of sexual abuse of patients by previous therapists. The results of strategies developed in Minnesota and other jurisdictions suggest ways to handle the reporting, management, and rehabilitation of offenders in therapist-patient sexual abuse cases.