November 13, 2017

TTP #37: Dr. Molly McLaren – All About Emotional Support Animal Evaluations

34 minutes

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Emotional support animal (ESA) evaluations are gaining in popularity as more individuals seek to bring animals into apartments, dorms, and onto airplanes. Our very own Dr. Molly McLaren took some time to talk with me today about her exploration of ESA evaluations. Some things we cover are:

What does the research say about animals as a “treatment” for emotional concerns?

Can we ethically recommend or “prescribe” an ESA?

What is involved in an ESA evaluation?

Is a report necessary for an ESA evaluation?

What’s the difference between an ESA and a service animal?

Resources

Special thanks to Facebook group member, Dr. Ed Martinelli, for sending these articles to check out regarding research on ESA evals!

Ensminger and Thomas, 2013, Writing Letters to Help Patients with Service and Support Animals, J of Forensic Psych, v13n2, pp 92-115

Kogan, et al, 2016, University Counseling Centers Perceptions and Experiences Pertaining to ESAs J of College Student Psychotherapy, v30n4, pp 268-283

Younggren, Boisvert, and Boness, 2016, Examing ESAs and Role Conflicts in Professional Psychology, Prof Psych Res and Prac, v47n4, pp 255-260

Herzog, 2011, The Impact of Pets on Human Health and Psychological Well-Being – Fact, Fiction, or Hypothesis, Current Directions in Psychological Science v20n4 pp 236-239

Podcast Sponsor

I’m so grateful to have Practice Solutions, a full service billing company for mental health practitioners, on board for sponsoring this month’s podcasts. Jeremy & Kathryn Zug are a husband-wife team ready to help you with all things billing – claim submission, billing statements, payment collecting, and verification of benefits & coverage. Get a 20% discount on your billing services when you mentioned the Testing Psychologist podcast!

About Dr. Molly McLaren

Molly earned her PhD from Colorado State University after completing her internship at the University of Tennessee and her post-doc at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling. She specializes in adult psychotherapy for folks with social anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, and career/vocational issues. Molly also has a lengthy history of providing psychological evaluations for adults.

About Dr. Jeremy Sharp

I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and grew to include seven licensed clinicians, three clinicians in training, and a full administrative staff. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.

As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.

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By Dr. Jeremy Sharp: Licensed Psychologist & Private Practice Consultant

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