Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/142672
scope of practice "When in doubt, refer out." You've heard it, you know it. But do you always implement it? We sometimes lapse with what we find most familiar. Do you always say "I love you" as your spouse walks out the door? Do you always receive bodywork regularly? Of course we want to answer yes to each question, and, for the most part, we can. But we have our moments and our lapses. Unfortunately, the same is true when it comes to scope of practice. Have you ever found yourself innocently offering advice to a client about her unhappy marriage or deadend job? Or have you ever let slip the wonderful benefits of glucosamine to a client with problematic knees? Even though these examples are not as evident as working on a pregnant woman or a person with hemophilia without proper training, going outside your scope of practice is still dangerous for you and your clients. In her book, The Educated Heart, Nina McIntosh outlines some of the reasons why therapists often forget the "refer out" mantra that followed them throughout their training. • Insecurity of the total healer." " McIntosh uses this phrase to describe the duality of having seen miraculous results within the profession and yet not having the public credibility the work commands. The result is an overcompensation by therapists in promising too much or overinflating the therapeutic effects. • he weekend workshop T syndrome. It is in this world of continuing education and hopes of furthering our knowledge base that "instant experts" are born. Even with the best intent, we should all understand that one weekend course does not qualify us as experts in any area. • ittle docs. Even though the L technical skills and training for bodyworkers has increased dramatically in the past decade, it does not allow us to treat medical issues without proper training or without consulting the client's physician. • he power of not knowing. "It's T important not to be afraid to say 'I don't know.' It's a respectable answer," McIntosh writes. She says she still holds her breath when a client asks, for instance, how to treat a sprain. Instead of spouting out what she inherently knows (but is not trained to advise Take charge of the "little docs" in your psyche, and don't be afraid to refer a client on. on), she tells the client that is not in her area of training. • sychology and emotions. This P is the most difficult area to identify when talking about breaching our scope of practice. Are you just being friendly and helpful when you talk to a client about her marriage, or are you playing the role of a psychotherapist? Even though it's sometimes difficult to see where the path turns from helpful and caring to potentially dangerous, it's important you be a witness in your own treatment room. Listen to your conversations, and listen to what clients are asking of you. Take charge of the "little docs" in your psyche, and don't be afraid to refer a client on. "Most clients already give us more authority than is rightfully ours," McIntosh writes. "It's up to us to stay honest and within the bounds of what we know." SPH