Similarities and differences between the therapeutic and forensic roles

For many years, the ethical dilemma of playing both a therapeutic role and a forensic role has been debated in the literature. Some authorities argue that there is always a conflict of interest in such dual relationships, while other authorities argue that the two roles can be reconciled and impartiality can be maintained. Using the Argosy University online library resources and the Internet, locate at least ten articles that discuss the therapeutic role and the forensic role and take a stance on this particular debate. Make sure that your collection of articles is balanced with regard to the roles and the viewpoints.

Tasks:

Utilize the ethical decision-making process you learned about in M1 Assignment 3 to create a 7- to 8-page argumentative paper supporting your stand. First, compare and contrast the roles, articulate the potential ethical conflicts, and discuss how those conflicts might be managed. Then, in a reasoned fashion, develop an argument for whether the two roles—therapeutic and forensic—should ethically coincide.

The course paper is essentially an argumentative essay. Refer to the following for guidelines about writing argumentative essays:

• Refer to this guide for tips about writing argumentative essays.

Ensure that you follow these instructions:

• Identify and articulate the similarities and differences between the therapeutic and forensic roles for both assessment and treatment.
• Articulate the potential ethical conflicts and discuss how those conflicts might be managed.
• Using multiple sources, defend your thesis on how and why therapeutic and forensic roles should or should not be reconciled.
• Be sure to address the issues of dual relationships as they apply to assessment as well as treatment.
• Ensure that you argue for a particular side of the issue (not arguing both sides) and that your argument is well-supported by scholarly literature, professional ethical guidelines, and the law.
• Include solid reasoning and a compelling thesis.
• Remember, a strong argument always supports its ideas and proves the other side wrong. Make sure to both support your views with credible arguments and sources and refute the other side.

Use proper grammar and spelling. Additionally, the paper should be written and formatted in APA style.

Submission Details:

• Save your paper as M5_A2_Lastname_Firstname.doc and by the due date assigned, post it to the Submissions Area.

This LASA is worth 300 points and will be graded according to the following rubric.

Assignment Component  Proficient   Maximum Points Possible    Identify and articulate the similarities and differences between the therapeutic and forensic roles for both assessment and treatment. Discussion indicates understanding of the therapeutic and forensic roles through specific details within each role. However, relations are not drawn between the two, or arguments, although accurate, are common.
Discussion addressed assessment and treatment issues in dual relationships.  72    Articulate the potential ethical conflicts and discuss ways on how those conflicts might be managed. The most pertinent potential ethical conflicts related to the dual relationship of therapeutic and forensic roles were identified and ways to address them were discussed.  72    Present a cogent argument for whether forensic and therapeutic roles should coincide. Thesis statement clearly takes a stance on whether therapeutic and forensic roles can ethically coincide.  72    Present well-reasoned arguments supported by scholarly resources. Arguments are clear and reasonable. They are supported by scholarly literature, professional ethical guidelines, and/or the law. All arguments directly support the thesis.
Specific examples and explanations are used to support the arguments.
Scholarly literature, professional ethical guidelines, or the law is accurately summarized and appropriately used.  56    Academic Writing        Writing is generally clear and in an organized manner. It demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and generally displays accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation. Errors are few, isolated, and do not interfere with reader’s comprehension.
Citations in text and at the end of the document are in correct APA format. Writing is generally clear and in an organized manner. It demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and generally displays accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation. Errors are few, isolated, and do not interfere with reader’s comprehension.
Citations in text and at the end of the document are in correct APA format.  28    Total:    300