Clinicians in Court : A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying, and Everything Else You Need to Know

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. "An indispensable resource for therapists and counselors in any setting, this user-friendly guide will also be of interest to agency administrators and policymakers, as well as legal practitioners seeking to educate potential witnesses. It will serve as a text in professional seminars and training courses and in graduate-level courses on forensic mental health practice and mental health law."--Jacket Clinicians may be called as witnesses in a range of circumstances, from court hearings to private arbitrations to government tribunals (i.e., boards or panels that have quasi-judicial functions). "Derived from a Canadian version titled : 'Counsellors as witnesses, ' published by Canada Law Book in 1997"--Page x