When Worlds Collide: Therapeutic and Forensic Roles

The goal of the article "Irreconcilable Conflict Between Therapeutic and Forensic Roles" ( S. A. Greenberg & D. W. Shuman, 1997 ) was to help chart a course for the profession that would raise the quality of assistance provided by psychologists both to courts and to patient-litigants, without compromising the quality of either forensic examinations or therapeutic relationships. One solution was conceptually simple: Do not attempt to fulfill both roles for the same person. Although an individual psychologist might be competent in both the provision of therapy and conduct of forensic examination, this does not justify a psychologist providing both services to the same patient-litigant. Knowledge is necessary to provide both types of service. Wisdom is necessary to choose not to provide both services to the same person.