Giving All Professional Psychologists a Bad Name!

Dr. Singer, thank you for your comments on the testimony of Dr. Samuels. I have been watching it also, and frankly, cringed when I heard him discuss how he reached his conclusions and the substandard methods and lack of time he put into the assessment of Arias.

One of my biggest concerns was that in a case of this magnitude and given the nature of the crime, that psychopathy was not ruled out. There was no discussion of alternate diagnostic hypotheses and if/how they were ruled out when reaching his conclusions about PTSD.

Additionally, when he stated that he considered her suicidal, he bought a book for her, etc., without taking the steps a psychologist would ordinarily take for a suicidal patient. Dr. Samuels has not done the field of clinical or forensic psychology any favors with his presentation.

Dr. Sue Stone, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Hi Sue.

Thanks for your comments regarding my article on Dr. Samuels giving us all a bad name. Of course, you are right on the money!

Dr. Jack

Dr. Singer, there is not much more to be said about such an unethical individual. Had he done everything by the book, he would not have ANY problems defending his findings. Instead we find him stuttering on the stand, getting angry because his lies are coming to light, and ruining his reputation on national television! I am so glad you wrote this blog.

Hi, Jack …it’s Nancy (John H’s ex wife from grad school days)… your posting will probably find lots of hits today… Dr. Samuels certainly is the topic of discussion (and ridicule, including that juror question asking about whether PTSD, according to Samuels, could be brought on by a bad haircut…_). You’d be a good one, perhaps, to be brought in as a rebuttal expert witness! I just about laughed myself out of my chair when Dr. Samuels answered a juror’s question today by saying he found Ms. Arias to be “a very unassertive person.” Great assessment (NOT!). nancy

Two hundred and fifty dollars an hour for speculation. Huh? I have watched this expert witness fumble and shuffle and stumble to the level of incompetence. His “decision making process” during his assessment of this individual leading to his diagnosis of PTSD would not be acceptable in any grad school internship. What was he doing providing the individual an instrument with the instruction to record the answers on a yellow lined sheet of paper rather than the instrument itself. I know of no professional who would consider “transcribing” responses to an answer sheet. I’m concerned this doc may end up with PTSD. The good doctor sure looks like he could use a few self help books

James, you are right on and very insightful!

Warmest regards,

Jack

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Licensed & Certified Clinical/Sport Psychologist

Member, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Member, American Psychological Association, Exercise and Sport Psychology Division
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals
Certification in Clinical & Sports Hypnosis, ASCH
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine

1-800-497-9880 (949) 481-5027 (Fax)

Hi Nancy!

You are right on target. Nice to hear from you. The prosecutor has his own expert set to dispute Dr. Samuels. Stay well.

Warmest regards,

Jack

Jack N. Singer, Ph.D.
Licensed & Certified Clinical/Sport Psychologist

Member, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Member, American Psychological Association, Exercise and Sport Psychology Division
Diplomate, National Institute of Sports Professionals
Certification in Clinical & Sports Hypnosis, ASCH
Diplomate, American Academy of Behavioral Medicine

1-800-497-9880 (949) 481-5027 (Fax)

webs:
http://www.askdrjack.com
http://www.drjacksinger.com
http://www.howtousesportspsychology.com

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Hello Joseph:

You are obviously a very compassionate man and you are correct that I should empathize with Dr. Samuels. My issue is that he should never have put himself in this position without doing a thorough evaluation and preparing properly.

Dr. Jack

Dr Singer, Thank you for clarifying our respective place in the public’s eyes is a semi
-retired seasoned clinical and forensic psychologist. I Have and would never place myself in these positions. Dr. Samuel s was trained in bio psychology at a place where standard clinical psychology is foreign and it shows in all he has done.
As a professional I don’t like the way he has actually lost control of the exchange of himself and Mr. Martinez one bit. That very exchange reveals his lack of ability to stand his ground and be his own man. It is for that very reason he has lost complete control of this examination.( perhaps reflecting the key motif of the Arias Case.) His casual unprofessional and informal style has obviously come back to bite him in the ass worldwide. I hope to meet him and use these moments to teach him and others HOW NOT TO DO an exam nor handle cross examination.
I thank you for educating the public He does not represent the mainstream of forensic clinical psychologists. I have been in the field since 1968.Educating the public through the media is a responsibly we all have as psychologists.

Dr. Jack, thank you for your input. Those of us that are watching the trial without a degree think he is way off track but, you confirmed it.I think you nailed it on this guy. Again Thank you.
Regards,
Tami

Hi Dr. Jack, I concur with all of your colleagues that this Dr’s testimony is flawed. The question is, is the jury buying this? I think Juan Martinez is an outstanding prosecutor, extremely sharp and unwavering, just a true professional. This woman truly deserves the full, unblunted, force of the law. Thank you, Dr. Jack

I’m glad you wrote about the testimony provided by Dr. Samuels as I have been wondering how others in the field have felt about his professional conduct. I have followed the proceedings closely and find myself incredulous with his diagnosis of Ms Arias as well as the method used in arriving at his conclusions. It is clear to me, that he is many things but impartial is certainly not one. He is incompetent, disorganized, blatantly biased, a hired gun and it appears he may be unethical as well. One only has to look at his website to understand that impartiality and an honest ethical evaluation were discarded quicker than the lies coming from Ms. Arias. I only hope “Mr” Samuels (he no longer deserves the recognition of Dr.) is investigated for ethical violations or perhaps “fraud”.

I was amazed watching this man on the stand after he stated his education. He struck me as unprepared,unethical,and very self-centered and disrespectful of JM and the court.
I hold no degree in anything. I do however know how to recognize a fraud when I see one.
Your take on him is right on the money. Thank you for a excellent article.

Thanks, Faith…it’s amazing the wide range of behaviors we see in our professionals, psychologists, physicians, lawyers, etc. Be well.

Dr. Jack

Thanks, Doug..it’s hard to understand someone butchering a person when they never (apparently) committed any crime before. There is so much about predicting psychopatic behavior that we still do not understand. Thanks for your comments.

Dr. Jack

Thanks, Tami….he is an embarrassment to all of us who practice forensic psychology.

Be well. Dr. Jack

Thanks, Dr. S….I may have already responded to your note, but again, you are certainly on the money. I think Dr. Samuels has learned not to get involved in high profile cases and I doubt that any defense attorney would ask him to do so. This is really the definition of a hired gun. One good thing that comes out of this is that the tapes should be used in training forensic psychologists what NOT to do…I’m sure there will be many snippets of his testimony shown in Continuing Education courses for psychologists.

Be well.

Dr. Jack

Hi Tanya:

He was obviously unprepared for the questioning, which is partially the fault of the defense attorneys. They have surely been down this road before and should have primed him for all that he would face in cross examination. He and the defense team look quite desperate. Be well, Tanya.

Dr. Jack

Great way to put it!

Dr. Jack

Thanks again, Faith….have a great weekend!

Dr. Jack

Dr. Singer,

You probably have no idea the positive impact your article will produce nationwide with the general public who are watching this case closely. With your very honest and succinct evaluation of Samuels so called “expert” testimony you have eased the minds of thousands of people watching it and thinking they will never trust a clinical psychologist due to the bad impression he gives. Because, and with no disrespect intended here, it doesn’t take a degree to see right through this charlatan.

And although, it has caused some doubt to your profession I believe it is temporary – thanks to you and a few other psychologists who take their oath seriously and have come forward and explained the truth about this man’s (I cannot bring myself to call him ‘doctor’) expert testimony. You have put it into the correct perspective of what it really is. My only hope is that this article will become as viral as Richard Samuels infamous testimony has.

Hi Joni!

You have absolutely made my day with your comments about my article. What an articulate, professional writer you are and thank you so much for showing me how the article will help those in need not to fear seeking help…as long as they do some serious checking before choosing a psychologist, or any doctor, for that matter. You know the old saying goes like this…”what do they call the person who graduates last in her/his class in medical school or psychology grad school?” The answer is “DOCTOR!”

Thank you Dr. Singer for such an amazing article. I just read this. In my opinion Dr. Samuels is not a professional in any way shape or form. I wouldn’t even called him a Dr. because he doesn’t know the word “boundary” specially related to the field he’s unfortunately representing and when he crossed that line then he should have stepped out. He never thought that this was going to be a very high profile case. This was just a case for him to earn money without taking in consideration how bad he was going to look in front of the world by doing a poor job and that he let a criminal flirt with him. How bad and sad is that. No ethics at all. Shame on him!!!!