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The American Psychoanalytic Association is telling members they are not bound by a longstanding rule preventing mental health professionals from commenting on the mental states of public figures, such as President Donald Trump.
The "Goldwater Rule" was adopted by another group—the American Psychiatric Association—in 1973 after a national magazine ran a story polling psychiatrists about whether former Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater was mentally unfit for office.
Many mental health professionals saw the story as a serious ethical breach, given none of the psychiatrists had personally evaluated Goldwater. The rule states that psychiatrists should refrain from commenting on the mental health of public figures, and over time it has become the standard for all mental health professionals.
In recent years an increasing number of psychologists and psychoanalysts have denounced the restriction as a "gag rule," with some saying they're professionally bound to warn the public about mental traits they allege impair Trump's ability to lead, health news site Stat reported. The American Psychoanalytic Association's executive board recently told the group's 3,500 members they shouldn't worry about speaking publicly about the mental health of public figures.
"We don't want to prohibit our members from using their knowledge responsibly," Prudence Gourguechon, APA past board president, said in an email to members. She went on to tell Stat that responsibility is greater today "since Trump's behavior is so different from anything we've seen before" in a commander in chief. http://bit.ly/2v4Xgta
Psychoanalysts practice techniques derived from Sigmund Freud that are not widely accepted among many mental health professionals today. The American Psychiatric Association represents medical doctors, and the group reaffirmed its support for the Goldwater Rule in March.
"The complexity of today's media environment demands that we take special care when speaking publicly about mental health issues, particularly when what we say has the potential to damage not only our professional integrity, but the trust we share with our patients, and their confidence in our abilities as physicians," board President Maria Oquendo wrote in a blog post. http://bit.ly/2uxxJWw
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CEO DATELINE - Professional society gives OK to comment on public figures' mental health
CEO DATELINE - Professional society gives OK to comment on public figures' mental health
Consider joining CEO Update. Membership gives full access to the latest intelligence on association management, career advancement, compensation trends and networking events, as well as hundreds of listings for senior-level association jobs.
Click here for membership details.
The American Psychoanalytic Association is telling members they are not bound by a longstanding rule preventing mental health professionals from commenting on the mental states of public figures, such as President Donald Trump.
The "Goldwater Rule" was adopted by another group—the American Psychiatric Association—in 1973 after a national magazine ran a story polling psychiatrists about whether former Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater was mentally unfit for office.
Many mental health professionals saw the story as a serious ethical breach, given none of the psychiatrists had personally evaluated Goldwater. The rule states that psychiatrists should refrain from commenting on the mental health of public figures, and over time it has become the standard for all mental health professionals.
In recent years an increasing number of psychologists and psychoanalysts have denounced the restriction as a "gag rule," with some saying they're professionally bound to warn the public about mental traits they allege impair Trump's ability to lead, health news site Stat reported. The American Psychoanalytic Association's executive board recently told the group's 3,500 members they shouldn't worry about speaking publicly about the mental health of public figures.
"We don't want to prohibit our members from using their knowledge responsibly," Prudence Gourguechon, APA past board president, said in an email to members. She went on to tell Stat that responsibility is greater today "since Trump's behavior is so different from anything we've seen before" in a commander in chief. http://bit.ly/2v4Xgta
Psychoanalysts practice techniques derived from Sigmund Freud that are not widely accepted among many mental health professionals today. The American Psychiatric Association represents medical doctors, and the group reaffirmed its support for the Goldwater Rule in March.
"The complexity of today's media environment demands that we take special care when speaking publicly about mental health issues, particularly when what we say has the potential to damage not only our professional integrity, but the trust we share with our patients, and their confidence in our abilities as physicians," board President Maria Oquendo wrote in a blog post. http://bit.ly/2uxxJWw
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