4 for Better Health

Sexual Consent 101: Understanding the Verbal Sexual Consent Determination Evaluation

Verbal Sexual Consent Determination is an evaluation that clarifies whether an individual with an intellectual disability has the information and understanding necessary to be able to make informed decisions about and consent to engage in sexual activity.  This type of evaluation is only used with people with intellectual disabilities; it is not valid for individuals with higher IQ's even if they have another developmental disability.

The evaluation includes assessment in the following areas:

• judgment
• assertiveness
• ability and autonomy in decision-making
• knowledge of the nature of sexual acts as well as the right to engage in or abstain from participating in those acts
• knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention
• knowledge of conception and contraception options
• understanding of private versus public places and appropriateness of keeping sexual activity private
• knowledge of sexual acts that are against the law
• ability to recognize harmful or exploitative situations and develop a plan of self protection

Information stemming from the evaluation may lead to referrals for sex education, or for additional services such as assertiveness training or support in improved decision making or other types of counseling. If the individual is deemed “consenting” it is important for individuals and caregivers to review procedures for negotiating privacy for safe sexual activity – some consenting adults will go to inappropriate places to engage in sexual activity for lack of access to appropriate and safe options.    

If the individual is deemed "non-consenting," caregivers need to provide appropriate oversight to ensure that the person is not taken advantage of. In addition, gaps in knowledge are indicated in the report for those individuals who are seeking to become consenting and will be asking for a re-evaluation. This can be completed at any time after the sufficient additional training has been obtained. 

Sexual Consent Determinations are used to support the rights of consenting individuals as well as to protect people who are non-consenting. The evaluation may help establish a case of abuse if the client is non-consenting, but does not determine whether a crime has been committed in the case of consenting individuals. The evaluation can only determine whether the individual has the information necessary to make informed decisions, not whether particular decisions they have made involve good judgment. 

To make a referral for a Sexuality Consent Determination, please contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182. 

Free Eligibility Evaluations for People Without Medicaid in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan

People seeking services funded by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) need a comprehensive psychological evaluation and sometimes a psychosocial evaluation  to meet eligibility requirements. While many individuals are able to use Medicaid to cover the cost of these evaluations, there are some who are not eligible for Medicaid and need help obtaining these evaluations.

The YAI LINK department can assist individuals in obtaining a free psychological and/or psychosocial evaluation through a special funding source we have in Queens and Brooklyn.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• the evaluation is needed to access OPWDD services
• the individual seeking the evaluation is not eligible for Medicaid
• the individual has prior documentation supporting an intellectual or developmental disability
• the individual lives at home with his/her family in Queens or Brooklyn

In addition, YAI LINK can also help families living in Manhattan through a similar grant overseen by the Metro DDSO.

For more information or to refer an individual, contact LINK at 212-273-6182. If the individual does not live in Manhattan, Queens or Brooklyn, we may be able to refer to other programs or resources that can assist in providing evaluations at no cost.

2012 Free Health Education Workshops for Professionals

Premier HealthCare’s Winter 2012 Health Education Workshops offer professionals serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) the opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise from our experienced staff at no cost.

Join us in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx for topics that include anxiety and autism, critical elements in psychological evaluations, play skills and autism, desensitization techniques, upcoming changes to the DD service system, behavior management, and abuse and people with DD. Space is limited, so registration is required by calling YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.

Visit yai.org/hews for more information or download the schedule.

Credential Confusion: Making Sense of Mental Health Related Specialties

If you've ever been confused about the different mental health related specialties, rest assured, you’re not alone.

The word "psychotherapy," for example, evokes a certain image in one’s mind. Whether it is a couch with a client lying on it, or a portrait of Freud, everybody seems to know what the psychotherapy process is. However, who is qualified to be a psychotherapist in the State of New York? Now that's a harder question for many.

In New York State, there are four professions that allow one to practice psychotherapy – psychiatry, psychology, social work and mental health practice. Let’s have a look at each a little closer.

PSYCHIATRY
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioral, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities. Psychiatric treatment applies a variety of modalities, including psychoactive medication, psychotherapy and a wide range of other techniques. While psychotherapy is a treatment modality, psychopharmacology is usually the main focus of these professionals. Since psychiatrists are medical doctors, they carry the letters M.D. after their name.

PSYCHOLOGY
A psychologist is a health care professional who diagnoses and treats mental, nervous, emotional, and behavioral disorders and ailments. Psychologists’ practices also include industrial/organizational psychology, research, and teaching. New York psychologists offer services in a variety of areas, including psychotherapy. They have earned a doctorate in psychology and have the letters Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D. after their name. All have met the same educational requirements. In addition, New York psychologists have completed two years of supervised experience and passed a national licensing exam.

SOCIAL WORK
Social work is a profession that helps individuals, families, and groups change behaviors, emotions, attitudes, relationships, and social conditions to restore and enhance their capacity to meet their personal and social needs. Social workers are trained to provide a variety of services, ranging from psychotherapy to the administration of health and welfare programs. They work with human development and behavior, including the social, economic, and cultural systems in which people function.

In New York State, there are two professional licenses for social workers, with different qualifications. Only licensed social work professionals may legally use the title Licensed Master Social Worker (L.M.S.W.) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.) in New York State. The L.C.S.W. may provide all social work services, including clinical services such as the diagnosis of mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and addictive disorders, the development of treatment plans, and the provision of psychotherapy. The L.M.S.W. may provide these clinical services only under supervision of an L.C.S.W., licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. The L.C.S.W.’s "R-privilege" designates eligibility for insurance purposes.

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE
This practice consists of four sub-categories:

Creative Arts Therapists (L.C.A.T.) -- Creative arts therapists are trained in psychotherapy and in specific arts disciplines, which may include therapies involving dance/movement, drama, music, poetry and art. They have training in areas that include clinical practice and human development, as well as the use of the creative arts to provide appropriate services, and multicultural and artistic traditions.

Marriage and Family Therapists (L.M.F.T.) -- Practitioners, called marriage and family therapists, are trained in individual psychotherapy and family systems to assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, and address an array of relationship issues within the context of marital/couple, family and various relational systems.

Mental Health Counselors (L.M.H.C.) -- Practitioners, called mental health counselors, are trained in counseling and psychotherapy to treat individuals with mental and emotional disorders and other behavioral challenges. Mental health counselors address mental health, human relationship, education and career concerns within ethical, developmental, preventive and treatment contexts. Mental health counselors demonstrate a concern for the short-term and long-term well-being of individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations.

Psychoanalysts (L.P.) -- Practitioners, called psychoanalysts, may use verbal and non-verbal communications to uncover the unconscious blocks that may be affecting the individual’s behavior and personality. Psychoanalysts treat a range of conditions including anxiety, depression and phobias.

Based on information from the NYS Office of the Professions.