Are therapists allowed to call the police?
“Allowed?” I don’t know of any rules against it. I’ve done it a couple of times. Once it was pretty embarrassing.
Oscar was 14, but my size. He was in foster care after spending months on the streets. Great kid, doing well. His foster dad would bring him to appointments, send him up to our clinic on the second floor, then wait for him in the parking lot.
One day, after what I thought was a really good session—glad I had videotaped it—Oscar announced as he was leaving, “I’m going on a run now.” (Meaning he was about to run away). What the hell? I was clueless. I tried to talk him out of it, adding that I’d have to call the police. He said, not in a smartass way, “That’s OK, most of them know me,” and left. Actually running.
In about 10 minutes an older officer appeared at my door. He said, “Can you give me a physical description?” I provided height, approximate weight, etc. Then the officer said, “What was he wearing?” I said confidently, “A black leather-type jacket, jeans, and dirty running shoes.” The cop smiled at the “running” reference and then asked, “Shirt?” I said, “He didn’t take his jacket off, no idea.”
Then I remembered the video. We looked. He did take his jacket off at one point. The shirt was loud purple with a design on it. Unforgettable shirt. But I forgot. I started to apologize; the old officer said, “Don’t worry, happens all the time, you’re a little upset, no big deal.” I wanted to say, “But I’m a highly trained psychologist, an expert at noticing everything, this couldn’t be happening!” I didn’t say anything but “Thanks.”
PS: Foster Dad phoned the office at about 3 PM. Oscar was home via a friendly squad car. That was probably 30 years ago, but since then I automatically memorize what folks are wearing, just in case a client goes on a run again.