The West Virginia University Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling&Counseling Psychology invites WVU students, faculty, staff and the general public to the next forum in its series of graduate colloquia.


William Fremouw, a WVU psychology professor, will speak on The Ethical Management of High-Risk Clients from 1-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in 809 Allen Hall.


Dr. Fremouw will discuss a risk assessment model and its application to psychiatric patients, suicidal patients and HIV -positive clients. The forum will explore the legal and ethical issues of confidentiality and protection from harm.


“Clinical and counseling psychologists are challenged by the ethical problems presented by clients who present potential risk to themselves or to others,”Fremouw said.”After distinguishing between danger and risk, the workshop will review the risk assessment issues and procedures developed through the MacArthur Foundation longitudinal study of psychiatric patients.”


Additionally, legal-ethical issues of confidentiality and protection from harm arising from legal cases will be discussed. Participants will learn how to apply risk assessment concepts to clinical cares and gain a better understanding of the legal-ethical issues involved when dealing with high-risk clients.


Fremouw earned his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1974 and later completed an internship at the University of Rochester Medical School. Since 1975, he has been a faculty member at WVU . He is a licensed psychologist and a diplomat in forensic psychology.


The colloquium is free, but reservations are preferred. To attend, contact Karen Smith, 293-3807, ext. 1202 or email KRSmith@mail.wvu.edu