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

Allan E. Barsky Phd (Author), Jonathan W. Gould Phd ABPP (Author), Allan Barsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2002

Mental health 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.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. Including case examples that illustrate each stage of the legal process, the book describes how to respond to subpoenas or contacts from lawyers; what to do to prepare for particular court actions or adjudicative proceedings; and how to ensure that all documentation is complete and legally admissible and confidentiality requirements are met. Also presented is valuable advice on avoiding legal pitfalls and coping with challenging situations on and off the witness stand. Special features include helpful checklists; samples of affidavits, retainer agreements, and other materials that can be adapted for use in the reader's own practice; and a glossary of relevant legal terms.

(20030501)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is not only a concise and helpful book for practitioners, it is also an excellent text for students in ethics and forensics courses. Written in accessible language, it is a valuable classroom resource."--Beverly Greene, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology, St. John's University

"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 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, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern 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. The authors have combined their many years of experience to produce a practical resource that will help practitioners present their opinions in a manner that will facilitate the fact-finding process."--Debra H. Lehrmann, Presiding Judge, 360th Judicial District of Texas, Tarrant County, Texas

"One of the strengths of Clinicians in Court is the authors'' frequent mention of the attributes of effective witnesses....Barsky and Gould do a nice job describing techniques and strategies used by cross-examining lawyers....A valuable addition to the literature, and well worth reading."--Child Abuse and Neglect

(Child Abuse and Neglect )

"Masterful...a great practical boon to nonlawyers who desire some basic understanding of the unfamiliar province of law....A sound road map, well-designed to guide clinicians obliged to traverse the vexing labyrinth of law. By helpfully demystifying some of the tools and armaments of law and litigation, the volume''s contents may lessen tensions and trepidations abounding at the interface of law and clinical practice....An excellent witness-preparation resource that should prove to be quite intellectually nourishing to a legion of readers who may choose to imbibe its edifying contents, including mental health and human services professionals as well as clinicians and therapists drawn from disparate professional backgrounds but potentially tethered to the law."--American Journal of Psychiatry

(American Journal of Psychiatry )

About the Author

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (August 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572307889
• ISBN-13: 978-1572307889
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Witnesses

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and helpful, November 7, 2003

By 

Eric G. Mart (Manchester, NH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clinicians in Court: A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying, and Everything Else You Need to Know (Hardcover)

Clinicians in Court is a clearly written, practical guide for therapists who find themselves drawn into the legal system. It provides a map for clinicians navigating the potentially risky terrain of the courts. The book cuts to the chase and provides much needed "how to" info in a manner that is very accessable to those who never intended to spend their time testifying in court, but find themselves in that position.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinicians in Court: A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying, and Everything Else You Need to Know (Hardcover)

When I got a call from a lawyer, I didn't know what to do. I found this book online, and wow was I lucky. Lots of useful trips which kept me out of trouble. Thank you.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No trial and error, October 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinicians in Court: A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying, and Everything Else You Need to Know (Hardcover)

Very useful... helps when you need it most. Demystifies court processes. Takes the advantage away from lawyers when you're on the witness stand. Thanks.