An overwhelming majority of clinicians do not have a Professional Will. Creating a document akin to your personal will provides a plan in the event of your sudden incapacitation or death. This plan, a Professional Will, is an essential guide for your colleagues at a time that is likely to be sudden, emotional, highly stressful, and where expediency is key to providing quality patient care. We will explore the different aspects of denial that prevent clinicians from completing this essential planning. There are many ways that people cope with unexpected events and there are ethical considerations in developing and implementing an Professional Will. Participants will be given worksheets to use as a guide for planning such a Will and, with the support of the group, participants will have the opportunity to begin to identify key components of their Professional Will and discuss their reactions.

About the Presenter
Deborah Carmichael, Ph.D., CGP

Dr. Carmichael is in private practice in Cambridge, MA and Nashua, NH. She is an active member of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy having served on the Board and on the Training Committee as Chair for four years. Dr. Carmichael trained at McLean Hospital and The Stone Center at Wellesley College. She was a Clinical Supervisor and Group Director on the Women's Treatment Unit at McLean Hospital, lead the Psychology Intern Experience Group for five years and continues to provide supervision to McLean psychology interns. Dr. Carmichael provides individual and couples psychotherapy to adults and consultation to therapists and agencies.  Dr. Carmichael is a Clinical Associate in Psychology, McLean Hospital; Clinical Instructor in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify at least one barrier that has prevented them from completing a Professional Will.

2. Participants will be able to identify the main components of a Professional Will.

3. Participants will be able to reference APA guidelines and Ethical Practice guidelines as a rationale for creating a Professional Will.

4. Participants will be guided in filling out worksheets identifying key information to be included in a Professional Will.

5. Participants will develop a plan with a timeline to increase the likelihood that they will complete a Professional Will.