The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court for Mental Health Professionals (PDF)

A one-stop guide to testifying in court for mental health
professionals

Even the most seasoned mental health professionals can find
themselves unnerved by the prospect of appearing in court,
especially when presented with it for the first time. Those in the
mental health field usually have no formal preparation for
testifying in court, even though they often play an important part
in many types of cases.

The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court for Mental Health
Professionals provides a concise yet comprehensive guide for
practitioners preparing to appear in court. The authors employ
their combined decades of legal work in the mental health field to
provide a clear, no-nonsense handbook of what to expect, how to
prepare, and what to look out for when testifying in court.

Along with a general introduction to courts and the legal system,
the text details topics such as:

* Testifying both as an expert and involuntary witness

* Protecting clients when bringing therapy into testimony

* Preparing for testimony

* Tips to use and lawyers' tricks to look out for when testifying
in court

Throughout the book, Bernstein and Hartsell use detailed case
studies to provide specific examples. In addition, "legal light
bulbs" offer important tips and facts, and appendices list relevant
Web resources and provide common legal forms.

A one-of-a-kind resource, The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court
for Mental Health Professionals gives a complete view of your role
in courtroom proceedings, offering a vital tool for both legal and
mental health practices.