Emotional Support Animal Assessments: Toward a Standard and Comprehensive Model for Mental Health Professionals.

Growth in the presence of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in our society has recently garnered a substantial amount of attention, both in the popular media and the professional literature. Public media abounds with stories focusing on the increasing number of animals claimed as ESAs, the impact of this growth on society, the industry claiming to certify ESAs, and the various types of animals described as "certified." The authors propose an assessment model for ESAs certification comprising a four-pronged approach for conducting these types of assessments: (1) understanding, recognizing, and applying the laws regulating ESAs, (2) a thorough valid assessment of the individual requesting an ESA certification, (3) an assessment of the animal in question to ensure it actually performs the valid functions of an ESA, and (4) an assessment of the interaction between the animal and the individual to determine whether the animal's presence has a demonstrably beneficial effect on that individual.

Examining Emotional Support Animals and Role Conflicts in Professional Psychology.

This article examines the role conflicts that psychologists may face in their practices related to the evaluation and certification of emotional support animals (ESAs). It reviews the legal differences between ESAs and service animals (SAs), outlines ethical guidelines and legal policies/regulations regarding the use of ESAs, and examines the potential role conflicts that exist when a treating psychologist is certifying the need for an ESA. Finally, it makes recommendations to assist psychologists in staying within the standards of practice in order to avoid the ethical and legal risks associated with certifying an ESA.

Can you keep a secret? Confidentiality in psychotherapy.

Confidentiality is the secret-keeping duty that arises from the establishment of the professional relationship psychologists develop with their clients. It is a duty created by the professional relationship, it is set forth in the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct, and it is codified in many state regulations. However, the difference between confidentiality and legal privilege; how, why, and when it can be violated; and the reasons for so doing are not well understood by many practitioners.