The Portable Lawyer for Mental Health Professionals: An A-Z Guide to Protecting Your Clients, Your Practice, and Yourself - Softcover

Thoroughly revised, this indispensable survival guide is written for anyone in practice by two attorneys specializing in the legal aspects of mental health care. The authors explain how to handle allegations of malpractice, coping with threats of violence, preserving client confidentiality, and more. Each chapter features step-by-step guidance, helpful case studies, "legal lightbulbs" highlighting concepts and dos and don'ts, and sample forms and contracts to help safeguard your practice. This edition incorporates guidance on conducting business in the digital world, with discussion on distance therapy, confidentiality issues surrounding electronic health records, cloud computing, and more.

THOMAS L. HARTSELL Jr., JD, is an attorney and mediator in private practice in Dallas, Texas. He is a frequent workshop presenter on topics related to ethics, managed care, confidentiality, informed consent, abuse allegations, and other legal aspects of mental health practice. BARTON E. BERNSTEIN, JD, LMSW, is an attorney in private practice in Dallas, Texas, and a Licensed Master Social Worker. He conducts workshops and seminars throughout the United States.