Dr. Michael Elterman: Benefits of Joining the Canadian Psychological Association

Offering several decades of experience, Dr. Michael Elterman currently practices psychology in Vancouver, British Columbia. An expert in child and clinical psychology, he frequently assists with family law cases. He also participates in professional groups, such as the Canadian Psychological Association.

For more than 70 years, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has served as a resource for practitioners and patients alike. The organization has several goals, including promotion of psychological awareness, advancement of excellence and innovation in the practice and research of psychology, and enhancement of the welfare and health of all individuals living in Canada.

Those who join CPA receive numerous benefits, including access to liability insurance, journals, publications, advocacy, and pro bono legal assistance. Other membership features are; an electronic newsletter, a magazine, and access to special interest subgroups. Members also receive access to insurance packages and banking for personal or practice purposes. Furthermore, CPA provides accreditation and continuing education opportunities.

A Brief History of Forensic Psychology by Dr. Michael Elterman

Private practice owner and Fellow of the American College of Forensic Psychology Dr. Michael Elterman has prepared more than 2,500 reports for the British Columbia court system. In this entry, he provides a short account of the development of forensic psychology.

Some of the earliest research pertaining to forensic psychology dates back to 1895, when J. McKeen Cattell conducted research on the psychology of eyewitness testimony. His experiment’s results indicated a startling degree of inaccuracies among witnesses, which aroused the interest of his colleagues. A psychologist by the name of William Stern conducted similar experiments, and found similar results, namely that emotions negatively influence the ability of witnesses to accurately recall an event.

Meanwhile, psychologists throughout North America and Europe began to act as witnesses in criminal trials regarding issues with witness testimony. The opinions of psychiatrists in Canada proved pivotal in several major cases towards the end of the 19th century, including the landmark Canadian judgment against Louis David Riel in 1885.

Until 1940, the field of forensic psychology did not see major growth. Psychologists were allowed to serve as expert witnesses during trials, but their testimonies were often trumped by those of medical experts, who were widely seen as more qualified. In 1940, the case of the People v. Hawthorne set the precedent that expert witnesses would be defined by the depth of their knowledge regarding a subject, not by the specific degrees they had attained.

Through the validity gained for psychologist testimony by the ruling in the People v. Hawthorne case, forensic psychologists have, therefore, proven essential to a number of cases throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, including Jenkins v. United States and Brown v. Board of Education since both cases allowed psychologists to serve as experts. The field has continued to grow, and, as of 2001, the American Psychological Association considers forensic psychology an official specialization for psychologists.

Signs of Child Abuse

By Dr. Michael Elterman

Since 1982, Dr. Michael Elterman has owned and operated a private clinical psychology practice in the Vancouver area. He has also collaborated extensively with the courts, preparing over 2,500 reports regarding such issues as child development, custody issues, and child abuse.

Aside from glaringly obvious indications such as cigarette burns or very specific bruising patterns, it can be difficult to know when a child is suffering abuse. Though no one of these on its own serves as definitive proof, radical changes or a combination of signs, such as those I list below, might necessitate intervention from an adult.

Obvious physical damage: It is no secret that children often play a bit too rough and end up with bruises and scrapes. But if these injuries repeat, or a child starts to act suspicious (i.e., wearing long sleeves and pants every day), it might be worth investigating.

Inappropriate behavior, seemingly out of nowhere: Some of these incidences can be chalked up to self-exploration, but if a change occurs that makes you feel uneasy (i.e., a pre-adolescent child obsessed with private zones, or a formerly mellow child abruptly starting to act out), look into it.

Extremely low self-image: Children who have been abused tend to be, if not explicitly told by the abuser, made to feel inadequate or useless. Children who constantly say things like “What’s the point? I’m stupid anyway” or generally express very little self-worth might be the victims of abuse.

Drastic fluctuations in personality: Though a child suffering abuse may play with his classmates normally and appear content most of the time, this may be a defense mechanism. A victim of abuse might vacillate between a content, surface persona and an anxious, depressed side that sometimes shows through.

Objects fervently to going somewhere: Instead of forcing a child who strongly resists visiting a particular person, communicate with the child. Ask questions to uncover the real reason the child does not want to go. Children may be afraid to tell the truth, as children who suffer abuse often withhold it to protect the abuser if the abuser is a perceived caretaker.

A Brief Overview of Childhood Conditions that are Products of Abuse

by Dr. Michael Elterman

This article is meant as a summary of three medical conditions that affect children who are neglected or abused by their parents.

1. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: A condition that affects mostly children who are preschool-aged, Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a situation that occurs when a child’s parent or guardian embellishes upon or completely makes up an illness that the child may or may not be diagnosed with. Children who suffer from Munchausen syndrome by proxy can be victim to unnecessary surgeries and intentional medical neglect.

2. Abusive Head Trauma: Also known as shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma is an injury to a child’s head that is a direct product of blows to the head, shaking, dropping, or throwing. Most of the victims of this condition are less than one year old, and the effects can include serious brain damage.

3. Child Traumatic Stress: Children who have experienced physical or emotional distress may exhibit characteristics of child traumatic stress, a condition that shows the effect of the stressful event through the child’s emotional responses, behavior, and actions. Those children who have child traumatic stress may become submissive, shy, anxious, or troubled.

About the author:

After he graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Master’s degree in Psychology, Dr. Michael Elterman embarked on a career that would lead him to specialize in child and adult clinical psychology. During Dr. Michael Elterman’s career as a private practitioner in Vancouver, British Columbia, he has supplied evidence for cases involving child development, child custody and access, and sexual and physical child abuse. Dr. Michael Elterman, who is familiar with several debilitating conditions that are the consequence of child abuse, continues to treat children and parents out of his facility in Vancouver.

Common Risk Factors and Symptoms of Depression – by Dr. Michael Elterman

By Dr. Michael Elterman

One of the most common reasons for visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist, depression affects approximately 16 percent of adults worldwide at some point in their lifetimes. According to Health Canada and Statistics Canada, around 8 percent of Canadian adults will experience major depression or anxiety during their lives, and 5 percent will have such an incident in a given year. Although no one understands the precise cause of depression, scientists have identified a number of factors that seem to increase an individual’s chances of developing the condition.

The incidence of depression in women is much higher than that in men, with approximately one in five women developing clinical depression at some time in life. Only one in every three of these women will seek professional assistance. People with one or more biological relatives with a history of depression, alcoholism, or suicide face high risks of developing the condition. Those who experienced trauma as children or have recently gone through a stressful life event, such as the death of a family member or close friend, are more likely to report depression.

The disorder also commonly arises following the birth of a child, in which case the condition is labeled postpartum depression. Also, people with serious chronic or acute conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or HIV/AIDS often experience depression. Feelings of depression include more than just sadness and can involve having trouble concentrating; feeling tired, guilty, worthless, or helpless; insomnia; and irritability.

Often, patients presenting depression notice they have recently lost interest in activities they previously enjoyed or they have experienced changes in appetite. In addition to these symptoms, people with depression sometimes also experience persistent aches and pains, cramps, headaches, and digestive problems that do not respond to treatment. Depression can be a life-threatening condition, and it is important to visit a doctor or therapist if you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one.

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