Dr. Martin will judge you and make assumptions about you without asking first. He is very by the book and thinks he knows you from a couple of questions. People who use questionnaires to diagnose don’t deserve to be in this field. I’m a real person who needs help and you’re scoring me based off something I don’t even feel comfortable filling out? How am I supposed to rate myself or know all my symptoms? Some things I do day to day, I might not even recognize as a symptom. You are supposed to determine that or help me figure it out. Again, why did you even choose this field?
Response from Dr. Martin:
I am sorry that you felt judged and believe I made inaccurate assumptions. Based off your response here I believe you were requesting a forensic evaluation for an emotional support animal or Psychiatric Service Dog.
According to Sam Houston State University, “Unlike a therapeutic relationship, the forensic evaluation involves limited contact, an adversarial forum, an impartial stance, and a critical, evaluative style that includes reliance on collateral and corroborated information rather than mere assertions by the examinee.”
You are correct in that I am very by the book. Whenever a forensic evaluation is utilized, it must be by the book as it is determining things under federal law. Unfortunately, even if a clinician thinks something might be beneficial, if it is illegal they cannot legally and justify using it.
Under Federal law, a person must have a mental health diagnosis, this diagnosis must be considered a disability that prevents the individual from accomplishing major life events. This type of information is gathered from questionnaires to determine diagnosis, severity of disability, and major life events that may not be accomplished due to this disability.
The Fair Housing Act defines persons with a disability to mean those individuals with mental or physical impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. If a clinician were to submit a false report saying an individual meets criteria when they do not then it is a federal crime.
You ask why I am in this field and also mentioned that I should be helping you to determine your symptoms. The evaluation you requested is an evaluation that does not help you to identify and process emotions or symptoms. The mental health provider you see on a regular basis in the individual who would do that for you. This evaluation was to determine if you met criteria under federal law and not to help identify and process underlying issues. If you are not currently seeing an individual I recommend looking into this. They can help you better explore the emotions and symptoms you are having. In addition they may be able to help you learn different coping techniques.
In the sessions I have with my patients, we do exactly that.
I am in the field of mental health because I believe I am able to help people accomplish and live their best possible life.
The forensic component of mental health is to evaluate based on laws (black and white, by the books). I am in that portion because I believe our society operates successfully when people follow these laws and it improves the quality of all when this happens.
Because you did not leave a name or contact information I am unable to reach out to you for any type of clarification or to better explain.
Once again I am sorry you felt judged and if you would like to understand the legal and clinical reasons for this decision please feel free to reach out to me.
