Psychology and Law for the Helping Professions (Hardcover)

This comprehensive introduction to law-related issues for mental health professionals covers a wide range of legal topics including criminal and family law. It provides more information on the influence of rules (both ethical and legal) on psychologists identity and behavior than most psychology or law texts provide. .As a teacher of courses in psychology and law, law, and ethics and psychology, the author found that existing texts did not adequately provide the information his students needed. His unique background of practicing divorce mediation and family law, teaching law and ethics workshops for psychological professionals, conducting psychological research on court-ordered mediation, and authoring books and various publications brings an innovative perspective to the book..Coverage of legal and ethical issues directly affecting those in the helping professions includes information on suits against psychotherapists, licensing laws, the mental health professional as an expert witness, and high risk situations for potential malpractice liability. Other high interest topics include the rights and treatment of the homeless, divorce and custody matters, and the issues of involuntary confinement, insanity pleas, child molestation, and sex between therapists and clients.