On Wearing Two Hats: Role Conflict in Serving as Both Psychotherapist and Expert Witness

摘要: Objective: This article explores the clinical, legal, and ethical problems that typically occur when a psychotherapist serves as both treating clinician forensic evaluator (or expert witness) in same case. Method: The professional literature, ethics codes, opinion surveys, changing economic institutional contexts of psychotherapy are reviewed order to identify obstacles widespread recognition this straightforward issue. processes evaluation then analyzed so reveal fundamental incompatibilities between psychotherapist’s clinical legal functions. Results: Attempting treat evaluate person creates an irreconcilable role conflict. conflict manifests itself different conceptions truth causation, forms alliance, types assessment, guidelines. Conclusions: Although circumstances sometimes compel practitioner assume dual treater evaluator, surround practice argue for its avoidance whenever possible. (Am J Psychiatry 1997; 154:448‐456)