Overview

Mental health and human service professionals are often called on to give evidence or expert testimony in a range of circumstances, including family law and child welfare trials, mental health hearings, malpractice lawsuits, criminal trials, government hearings, and private arbitration. Interacting with the legal system poses many potential challenges, but adequate preparation and a basic understanding of legal processes and terminology can make the experience a more positive one. This volume provides practical information and proven guidelines to help clinicians from any background understand their role in legal proceedings - and participate effectively, ethically, and with minimal stress. Special features include helpful checklists and samples of affidavits, retainer agreements, and other materials that can be adapted for use in the reader's own practice.

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9781572307889

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Reviews

'Writing in an informal, accessible style, the authors facilitate understanding of complex and confusing matters of law. Barsky and Gould's purpose is not to provide absolute answers to legal questions - as few exist - but to prepare the reader for the complicated role of being a witness in legal proceedings. To this end, they are marvelously successful. But the book does much more as well, providing meaningful insights into the mysteries and madness of the legal system. This book has become required reading for my graduate level course on social work and the law, and I believe no clinician should step up to the witness stand without having read it.' - Kevin J. Corcoran, JD, PhD, Portland State University 'This easy-to-read text offers the non-lawyer a useful guide to preparing for the difficult task of testifying in court. Using readily understandable language and examples, it is a 'must read' for potential witnesses who want to avoid embarrassment or legal problems.' - Debra H. Lehrmann, Presiding Judge, 360th Judicial District of Texas, Tarrant County, Texas 'This is a unique and creative guide for the clinician entering the unfamiliar world of the courtroom. Rather than addressing a preconceived series of topics that are deemed relevant to practice, as many texts do, the authors are highly sensitive to the real questions clinicians have when called on to participate in legal proceedings, and organize their chapters accordingly. The book is very user-friendly, clearly written, and broad in scope. It will be useful to readers at many levels, from graduate students to seasoned clinicians.' - David L. Shapiro, PhD, Nova Southeastern University

Author Information

Allan E. Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD, is Professor of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where he teaches graduate courses in conflict resolution, professional ethics, and substance abuse. Dr. Barsky has practiced social work and mediation in legal settings that include the criminal court in New York and the family courts in New York, Toronto, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is a past president of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and former National Board Member of the Network for Conflict Resolution Canada. The author of several books and numerous articles, he has presented his research at conferences around the world. Jonathan W. Gould, PhD, ABPP, is in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is a principal in the Charlotte Psychotherapy and Consultation Group. The author of two books and numerous articles, Dr. Gould has presented numerous workshops and seminars for clinical and legal audiences. His interests focus on developing more scientific approaches to child custody evaluations, defining role boundaries between clinical and forensic treatment, and applying forensic methods and procedures to child custody evaluations.

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