Since I am a pediatrician friends and family seem to think I have the answers to everything, yet I do not always. But, they know if they ask me about a topic I will research the topic and give them my honest opinion. Some then agree with me and some do not.
I was asked by several people what I thought of the defenses expert in the Jodi Arias trial. Yes, I have watch as much of the trial as I possible could, but I admit I have not followed it as intensely as I followed the Casey Anthony trial.
But here is my take on Richard Samuel's. But, first let me explain his areas of expertise:
First of all Richard Samuel's is a psychologist and not a psychiatrist (meaning he does not have a MD following his name). He can not prescribe medications for patients.
A psychologist performs research and therapy on the mind. There are a number of specialists in this profession, ranging from clinical therapists to sports counselors, but almost all focus on practice, research, teaching, or a combination of all three. Though people often confuse the two, psychologists and psychiatrists are very different.
Specializations
Psychologists have three main areas of focus: practice, research, and teaching. Most are trained in at least the first two, though they may emphasize one area more than the other in their work. Practice is the interaction with patients, and includes things like diagnosing conditions and creating treatment plans that often include counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy. Research consists of performing experiments and gathering information about why people or animals have certain behaviors and think the way they do, and generally includes things like interviews, experiments both in labs and in other settings, surveys, and studies on the physical aspects of how the brain works. In addition to these two focal areas, many people in this field also teach at the university level.
Training
The training to become a psychologist varies slightly based on specialization, but almost all have to have either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a related field or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). After getting the doctorate, a person usually has to complete a one to two year internship and get a few years of professional experience or residency before he or she can apply for licensure. Most people also get board certification in their area of specialization, though it's usually not required to practice. Those who work in schools or with children usually need special certification and licensure, and their training is more focused on education and childhood development.
As Compared to Psychiatrists
The main difference between psychiatrists and psychologists is their underlying focus. While psychiatrists are licensed doctors and have a medical focus, psychologists work with more non-medical means of treatment, like therapy and cognitive testing. Also, psychiatrists can prescribe medicine, while psychologists usually can't, though there are a few exceptions in certain regions. The type of training needed for each is slightly different as well: psychiatrists have to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, and then complete four or five years of residency training before they can become licensed to practice.
"Here is my take on Richard Samuel's assessment of Jodi Arias"
(1 Was it really only an assessment of Arias and the findings and diagnosis there of? I think not.Thus being his job inside the jail is to assess inmates by interviewing them and rendering a bias diagnosis. I would say Samuel's should have only visited Arias no more than 3 or 4 times and then reported back his findings of said inmate (thus remaining bias).His ethics were already questionable from his bartering with the dentist as trade of services. I believe this is why Richard Samuel's moved to Arizona from I believe it was New Jersey. His ethics were already questionable and he paid a fine and had to take classes, although he lied and down played the incident as (having to read a book).
( 2 Prosecutor Juan Martinez has been right to question Richard Samuel's evaluation of Jodi Arias and his ethics in how long he saw her (Why so many visits?) Then Richard Samuel's motives for purchasing a self help book for Arias. Should Samuel's had been the treating doctor then and only then could had referred Arias to the book, but not purchased the book for her.You can most certainly be helpful to someone, yet not show bias. If Samuel's referred this book to everyone (mother/brother) as Samuel's so stated that he did why did he not purchase (mother/ brothers) books also? But, I never heard him say that he purchased their books. Not only did Samuel's purchase a book, but also greeting cards for Arias. Bias? I think not.
( 3. Then we come to Arias' DSM test for PTSD why are there 3 scores and only 1 test administered? Then the test was administered on the story (Lie) of the 2 Ninja's dressed all in black. I feel that Samuel's ethics came in question yet again with the 3 different scores. I have actually done my research and the DSM scoring is (simple) addition. How could someone make so many mistakes on simply adding numbers together? Only my opinion, but I do not believe that Samuel's was at all bias and I also feel he had a underlying agenda.
( 4. I think if it comes down to Samuel's (So Called) expert testimony to get Arias off that she will have a needle in her arm in a few years. I do not feel that Samuel's has conducted himself with professionalism.
This Bloggers Note: "Hurry Up And Get This Trial Over With"
