Ethics of Mandated Treatment

PSY699: Master of Arts in Psychology Capstone

The Ethics of Mandated Treatment Scenarios

Scenario 1: A client with a well-established history of repeated dangerous behavior and inpatient commitment has been treated, stabilized, and discharged into the community. The treating psychiatrist believes that the client’s success in the community is far more likely if treatment is continued. However, the client wishes to terminate treatment. A request for mandated treatment is filed by the psychiatrist with the court. During the hearing, the psychiatrist testifies that while the client is not imminently dangerous, he potentially could become dangerous again without treatment.

Scenario 2: A long-term client appeared quite excited during a recent session with her therapist. Speaking rapidly, she told the therapist that she was planning a gambling trip that would win her millions of dollars. After some probing, the therapist learned the client had recently stopped taking the medication prescribed for her bipolar disorder because she had been feeling so happy. The client also indicated that she no longer saw a need for therapy and was planning to stop treatment.

Scenario 3: An older, debilitated adult is living within two miles of her adult daughter. The daughter currently has control of her mother’s finances and is aware that her mother is unable to leave home to purchase basic necessities. The mother wishes to be in psychotherapy, but the daughter claims that she can care for her mother on her own.