Assessments for Clinician-Clients: Forensic Psychology Interns’ Dilemma

Abstract

Forensic psychology interns frequently encounter clinicians as clients. These being health-care professionals requiring assessment during their therapy process. The clinician-clients often exhibit high self-awareness and clinical insight, thereby, creating a unique psychological dilemma that can be unsettling for interns and in turn compromise professional objectivity. This qualitative study investigated specific professional dilemmas and ethical challenges faced by four forensic psychology interns in conducting violence risk assessments, family reintegration suitability, and competency evaluations among clinician-clients within a drug rehabilitation centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion and was analysed using Thematic Analysis. Findings identified four primary challenges: heightened confidentiality threats, compassion fatigue, complex power imbalances and problems in forming therapeutic alliances. The expert-vs-expert dynamic was proved to present a blurred professional boundary, thereby complicating the forensic psychology interns' evaluative role. The research exhibits a critical gap in forensic internship, where dual-status of the client as a clinician-professional creates unique stressors. Future research should focus on developing specialised support mechanisms, and supervision models for forensic psychology interns. Addressing these unsaid challenges is crucial for enhancing the performance and competency of emerging forensic psychologists.