In the last 2 years, changes in ICBC’s delivery of rehabilitation and psychological services has resulted in significant growth in funding for psychological treatment. Motor vehicle accidents continue to be a major cause of significant physical and psychological injuries. The range of psychological consequences include: depression, post traumatic stress, anxiety, coping with chronic pain, and adjustment to traumatic brain injury, to name a few. Psychologists play a vital role in helping people return to a productive and happy life with family, friends and the community at large. If you plan to enter the field of private practice, you will inevitably be involved with such cases. How you engage and navigate the field of multiple stakeholders is a major factor in developing a successful and lucrative career in this area. The key for helping such clients is not only the psychological knowledge and skills that you have acquired in your training but also understanding the numerous factors that affect the delivery of psychological treatment, specifically, the contextual factors involving the insurance and legal systems. This workshop is intended for future psychologists who plan to run a private practice.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide a working orientation for psychology graduate students on how to conceptualize their work with individuals who are not only needing treatment but are involved with litigation. The intention of these different presentations is to provide a foundation for students to build upon in their ongoing education before and after their registration into the College of Psychologists BC. The workshop hopes to demystify the complexity and apprehension of working with clients in litigation. This workshop will provide:

1) A psychologist’s perspective of various stakeholders involved in an ICBC case.
2) Information on day-to-day clinical and case management issues for a psychologist. Topics focusing on managing intakes, fee schedules, conducting assessments and treatment, reporting requirements, and legal obligation.
3) A lawyer’s perspective on the psychologist helping the client.
4) Knowledge on court room procedures and rules. An important walk-through on the court room for those going to trial for the first time.
5) Information on expert testimony in court – understanding your role and strategies for effective court room testimony.