In the context of diagnosing psychological disorders, a patient who charges negligence must be able to prove which of the following?

• A. That the professional intended to cause emotional distress
• B. That the professional had no formal education
• C. That the patient disagreed with the diagnosis
• D. That the professional owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused harm as a result

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of negligence in the context of psychological practice, which involves a failure to meet the standard of care that a professional is expected to provide.
2. Identify the key elements that must be proven to establish negligence: (1) the professional owed a duty of care to the patient, (2) the professional breached that duty by failing to act according to the accepted standard, and (3) this breach caused harm or injury to the patient.
3. Recognize that proving intent to cause emotional distress is not necessary for negligence; negligence focuses on carelessness or failure to act appropriately, not intentional harm.
4. Acknowledge that the professional's formal education or the patient's disagreement with the diagnosis are not sufficient grounds to prove negligence on their own.
5. Summarize that to successfully charge negligence, the patient must demonstrate the duty of care existed, that it was breached, and that this breach directly resulted in harm.