The Mental Health Practitioner and the Law

“Lifson and Simon have put together an excellent guide for those clinicians trying to dodge the fusillade of malpractice claims now being leveled at them. The discussions are sophisticated and the advice is practical.”—Paul S. Appelbaum, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School

“A tour de force. These distinguished editors brought together forensic mental health practitioners and legal scholars to produce an up-to-date, readable, comprehensive book brimming with important information and guidelines. It will do much to help all mental health practitioners maintain an enjoyable practice, provide optimal care for their patients and reduce the risk of legal liability.”—Abraham L. Halpern, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, and past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

“Lifson and Simon’s handbook illuminates the pitfalls of practice and provides approaches that are thoughtful, informed, and practical. A wonderful antidote for litigaphobia and the counterproductive excesses of defensive practice.”—Kenneth S. Pope, Ph.D., ABPP, author of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling

“This book provides a marvelous compendium of advice to reduce the chances of being injured in the minefield of mental health malpractice.”—Philip J. Resnick, M.D., Case Western Reserve University

“This is a book that is must reading for all clinicians who wish to practice in the ever-changing world of managed care and increasing litigation, and who wish to provide optimal care for their patients while remaining relatively risk free… The point is well made that provision of high-level care for the patient will be the best protection for the clinician.”—Robert L. Sadoff, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine