On Your Side: Protecting Your Mental Health Practice from Litigation [Paperback]

J Michael Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2001

ON YOUR SIDE: PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE FROM LITIGATION is essential reading for all psychologists, psychiatrists, and other people-helpers. It explains how to avoid -- or, if worst comes to worst, endure and triumph over -- malpractice suits, license board accusations and professional association ethics cases. Favorably reviewed in The National Psychologist, The Independent Practitioner, and J. Forensic Psychology, and recommended by attorneys and practitioners alike, this one volume gives the inside story not available anywhere else. It's replete with case histories and insider information.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Adams doesn't offer legal advice, but presents the perilous landscape that psychologists must tread to avoid trouble. -- The National Psychologist, Nov - Dec 2002

Easy-to-read... practical advice... a multitude of cases... clean prose... thoroughly covers malpractice, ethics codes, HMO's. -- The National Psychologist, Nov/Dec, 2002

I wish ON YOUR SIDE could be suggested reading for every clinician... and mandatory ... for the entire APA governance structure. -- The Independent Practitioner, Winter, 2002

I wish ON YOUR SIDE could become suggested reading for every clinician and mandatory reading for the APA governance. -- The Independent Practitioner, Winter 2002

Mandatory reading for every mental health professional. Currently, one complaint can destroy an entire career. -- American Journal of Forensic Psychology, Fall, 2002+

Mandatory reading... It describes with great compassion the legal hurdles, challenges and risks that every psychotherapists takes daily. -- Journal of Forensic Psychology, Volume 20, Issue 3, 2002

From the Publisher

Two independent reviewers in peer reviewed journals stated that ON YOUR SIDE: PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE FROM LITIGATION should be required reading by everyone in private practice. We have proudly published it as a public service, to inform practitioners about what to do before, during and after a legal ordeal, and to encourage much-needed governance reforms.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 398 pages
• Publisher: Mimesis Books (September 15, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0970998201
• ISBN-13: 978-0970998200
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,900,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forewarned is forearmed, December 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: On Your Side: Protecting Your Mental Health Practice from Litigation (Paperback)

You may think you are protected from wrongful accusations by clients, but this book demonstrates that in most cases you are not. I didn't know anything about such matters until a dear friend and colleague was unjustly accused, and unfortunately didn't have the help of this book. What she went through damaged not only her ability but her desire to continue making her living as a therapist. I stopped doing custody cases after I saw what happened. ON YOUR SIDE is the best -- perhaps the only -- source of step-by-step help for embattled practitioners. I'm grateful to have found it and have been telling every therapist I know. If you find yourself on the spot, this book will explain the intricacies of the system and advise you step-by-step on the best practical (and psychological) ways to defend yourself. But please, don't wait until it happens!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things our professors never told us!, December 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: On Your Side: Protecting Your Mental Health Practice from Litigation (Paperback)

As a healthcare professional, I found this work to be extremely useful and cautionary. It is one of those rare non-fiction books that informs while being completely absorbing. "Adams" brings sensitivity, intelligence, experience and wisdom to this compelling read. By generously exposing the pitfalls we may face because our chosen profession is at the mercy of the legal system, "Adams" shows us how to safeguard ourselves and our livelihood. If you think malpractice insurance will protect you, think again...and read this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars staying out of trouble, December 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: On Your Side: Protecting Your Mental Health Practice from Litigation (Paperback)

After reading this book, I realize some of my ordinary behavior must be changed.Having been trained to use counter transferential observations as an important tool, I often recorded my feelings during the sessions in my notes. I now understand this is a serious mistake. Tragically, I now think of my notes as a public document in a potential investigation of my professional practice. I don't like doing it, but I now document my activities around my one client who is potentially suicidal. I feel I have been warned in time, so I now practice with more awareness of potential litigation.