A Clinician's Guide to Legal Issues in Psychotherapy » (1st Edition)

William H. Reid, M.D., M.P.H., is Past President of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. A prolific contributor to the field, he has written 14 professional books, including The Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders (3rd edition, with G.U. Balis), and DSM-IV Training Guide (with M.G. Wise).

Adhering to Standards of Care . . . Relationships with Patients and Families . . . Practice Settings and Styles . . . The Question of Consent . . . Boundary Violations . . . Confidentiality and Privilege . . . Patient Suicide . . . Danger to Others . . . Impaired or Unethical Colleagues . . . On Being Sued . . .
For today's mental health professional, a solid understanding of these and other legal issues is essential. With A Clinician's Guide to Legal Issues in Psychotherapy such understanding is now within easy reach.
Written specifically for nonmedical practitioners, this no-nonsense guide clarifies how you can lower the legal risks and avoid the common pitfalls of contemporary practice; explains common forensic issues and standards as they apply to mental health professionals; and addresses risk-benefit questions involved in mental health care delivery.
A clinician, researcher, educator, and writer who's had extensive experience in reviewing and evaluating cases, assessing litigants, advising courts and attorneys, and occasionally testifying, Bill Reid is uniquely qualified to write this text. In his own words, "What you will find in these pages is designed to keep you from having unwanted contact with people like me, and to provide information that may help if you do." Read on, and by all means . . . proceed with caution.

Aimee St. Pierre

This volume is a practical legal reference for mental health clinicians in psychotherapy practice. The stated purpose is to increase the mental health clinician's understanding of the legal aspects of psychotherapeutic practice. This is an important area that tends to be neglected or even omitted in training programs and clinical supervision. The author, a respected forensic psychiatrist, addresses the legal issues thoroughly, in a clear and practical manner. The intended audience is non-physician mental health practitioners; specifically, the focus is on psychotherapy practice, and does not include the legal aspects of diagnosis and medical treatment provided by psychiatrists. The content will certainly be useful for mental health practitioners in general, but also should be appropriate for psychiatric residents and other mental health trainees. It will also be of value to psychiatrists engaged in psycho-therapeutic practice. An overview of the law as it applies to the practice of psychotherapy is provided. Other topics include the standard of care in various aspects of clinical practice, including confidentiality, therapeutic boundaries, dealing with impaired colleagues, and dangerousness, among others. One chapter is devoted to conducting a forensic practice. Appendixes provide a glossary of legal terms, as well as a helpful collection of sample forms for use in clinical and forensic practice. This is a useful volume, written in a concise and engaging style by a knowledgeable author. Answers are provided to common legal questions posed by clinicians, and guidance is offered in risk management and the standards of clinical practice. The brevity and readability make it anexcellent reference for educators and students.