Description
Book SynopsisA successor to the popular The Psychiatrist in Court: A Survival Guide, The Mental Health Professional in Court has expanded the scope of the earlier book to include other professionals in the field. The authors have thoroughly updated the text, and provided a comprehensive coverage of legal processes. This book equips the mental health professional with a hands-on, practical working knowledge of what to expect—and how to survive—in the courtroom and the legal system.
The book includes many helpful features:
• An informal, user-friendly writing style that is accessible, reassuring, and empowering, and a succinct presentation that helps the reader achieve mastery of the material quickly and efficiently—a boon when prepping for a court appearance
• A practical, rather than theoretical, approach to issues, with examples from literally hundreds of actual cases and countless consultations with peers and colleagues on how to deal with the legal system
• A thorough understanding of the book's audience. Because the authors understand that most mental health professionals' knowledge about going to court comes from television and movies, the book addresses the many deeply embedded misperceptions and distortions perpetuated by the media, taking the reader from rudimentary information about the legal system to more sophisticated topics, such as the different approaches to testifying.
• An indispensable legal glossary keyed to the text, which enhances understanding of courtroom terminology
• Other beneficial features, such as key points at the end of each chapter, which provide easy-to-locate summaries, and additional appendices, which outline the legal system and provide suggested readings.
No one wants to appear in court, but in some cases it may be unavoidable. Brief enough to assimilate quickly, yet comprehensive in scope, The Mental Health Professional in Court: A Survival Guide is a reassuring and eminently useful guide designed to help the witness navigate the legal system.
Trade ReviewAs someone who owns the prior version of this work, I am pleased to see an updated and more concise edition. Much of Dr. Gutheil's writing is remarkably clear and, at times, amusing, and this book is no exception. Yet, importantly, his approach is not glib, but highly practical. Starting with receiving a subpoena and carrying readers through the process to the ultimate conclusion, this work addresses many of the questions general mental health practitioners have about the ordeal, including the importance of self-care during the litigation process. This is a welcome addition to my library.
-- Steven T. Herron, M.D. * Doody Enterprises, Inc. *
The Mental Health Professional in Court is a broad guide, ideal for general orientation and preparation, especially for those with little experience in a courtroom; in-depth coverage of specialized types of courtroom cases (such as child custody battles) are left to other literature. Although [it] is tailored toward those practicing in the field, its accessible, plain-spoken advice is worthy of the highest recommendation for readers of all backgrounds.
-- James A. Cox * The Midwest Book Review *
Table of ContentsAbout the Authors
Acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction: "What? Me? Go to court?"
Chapter 2. "Why is this happening?"
Chapter 3. "How did I get here?": The path to litigation
Chapter 4. "What is motivating everyone?"
Chapter 5. "Why is this taking so long?"
Chapter 6. "Now do I get my say?": Interrogatories, depositions, and how to survive them
Chapter 7. "Where are we?": The foreign territory of the courtroom
Chapter 8. "Who are all these people?"
Chapter 9. "Am I going to win this thing?": The trial itself
Chapter 10. "Do I still get to have a life?": Self-care during litigation
Chapter 11. "Where do I go from here?": The aftermath of litigation
Appendix I: The civil litigation process
Appendix II: Legal glossary
Appendix III: Recommended readings and online support
Index
