Description
Book SynopsisThis is a comprehensive handbook for mental health and social service providers on prevention of malpractice lawsuits and licensing-board complaints. Frederic G. Reamer provides in-depth discussion of common risk areas and steps practitioners can take to protect clients and themselves.
Trade ReviewThis is a must-have text for all behavioral health professionals. In an increasingly litigious world, behavioral health professionals must be prepared to manage their practices in ways that ensure they are in compliance with licensure rules, ethics, and legally accepted standards. This book shows the way. -- Christine M. Heer, Seton Hall University
Frederic Reamer has become a household name in social work education and practice. In his inimitable style, Reamer provides mental health practitioners with the necessary tools for risk management. To avoid the hazards of our litigious society, this book should be required reading for all practitioners of mental health services. -- Stephen M. Marson, editor of the
International Journal of Social Work Values and EthicsAs an attorney who defends mental health professionals before their licensing boards, I am putting this book on the top shelf of my resource library. It is scholarly yet practical, exhaustive but readable. It is destined to become the go-to guide for both behavioral health practitioners and scholars. -- David Barry, partner at Bowne Barry & Barry
This book provides a thoughtful discussion of legal risks facing behavioral health practitioners, including those associated with complex and emerging issues. Reamer’s synthesis of legal, ethical, and practice standards that apply to the profession and his practical frameworks to assess and mitigate risks across a variety of settings are essential. -- Caitlyn Silhan, partner at Waters Kraus & Paul
This book is an amazing resource for any lawyer who has a case relating to a behavioral health practitioner’s alleged malpractice. Reamer has a strong grasp of the ethics and practices of behavioral health, and he offers essential insight into presenting a case before a court or a licensing board because he knows so much about the law and litigation. -- Jamie M. Woolsey, partner at Sandefer & Woolsey
In this well-researched and well-written book, Reamer provides behavioral health practitioners with practical guidance on how to structure their policy and practice in a way that takes various legal and ethical risks into account. Reamer is truly a leading expert on risk management. -- Allan Barsky, Florida Atlantic University
Risk Management in the Behavioral Health Professions provides mental health students and practitioners an accessible and comprehensive set of practice standards in a manner that is not intimidating but yet maintains excellent depth and accuracy. -- Robert Madden, University of Saint Joseph
The complex issues and ethical challenges identified in this book are not unique to social work—yet rather they are common elements of any behavioral health process and therapeutic relationship. All behavioral health professionals face these ethical issues in their practice and are at risk. This is an essential text for behavioral health professionals. -- Gisele Ferreto, University of Maryland
Table of ContentsForeword, by Robert P. Landau
Preface
1. Professional Risk Management: An Overview
2. Confidentiality and Privileged Communication
3. The Delivery of Services
4. Impaired Practitioners
5. Supervision: Clients and Staff
6. Consultation, Referral, Documentation, and Records
7. Deception and Fraud
8. Interruption and Termination of Service
9. Responding to Lawsuits and Licensing-Board Complaints
Appendix: Sample Forms
Notes
References
Legal Citations
Index
