In this Second Edition of his comprehensive, well-respected text, Psychology and Law for the Helping Professions, Loyola Marymount University's Leland C. Swenson examines the difficulties that helping professionals sometimes encounter when trying to strike a balance between protecting their clients' interests and complying with the law. Swenson seeks to empower practitioners - primarily counselors and psychologists - so that they understand when and why their treatment decisions may have legal consequences. He emphasizes what helping professionals need to know about the law to avoid the "land mines". Psychology and Law for the Helping Professions delves into many controversial subjects, such as: a mother's versus a father's rights in child custody cases; child support and visitation; inter-racial adoption; parental kidnaping; professional handling of abuse; and suppressed-recovered memories by incest survivors. This edition also includes significant recent changes in the law; updated references to the American Psychological Association's ethical principles that were revised in 1994; new coverage of confidentiality issues in dealing with insurance carriers and HMOs; and coverage of the new profession of post divorce co-parenting education.

"[T]he best and most useful social science text I have read in a decadeÖ.It is comprehensive in its research and scope, clearly written and uses excellent case studies and examples to illustrate in simple terms what might otherwise be complex phenomena." --Dr. Tom Altobelli Federal Magistrate, Family Law Courts Sydney, Australia The goal of every family law professional and mental health practitioner is to improve family court outcomes in the best interests of the child. This book will assist readers in meeting this critical goal. Developmental Psychology for Family Law Professionals serves as a practical application of developmental theory to the practice of family law. This book helps family law and mental health professionals gain a broader understanding of each child's unique needs when in the midst of family crisis. It presents developmental theories with which professionals might better assess the developmental needs, synchronies, and trajectories of a given child. Ultimately, this book presents guidelines for making appropriate legal decisions and recommendations for children who have experienced crises such as abuse, neglect, relocation, divorce, and much more. Key topics include: Custodial schedules Foster and adoptive care Post-divorce disputes Termination of parental rights Psychological assessment and diagnosis Incarcerated parents and visitation rights Relocation and "distance parenting" Visitation resistance and refusal/reunification Parental Alienation/alignment and estrangement Theories of cognitive, language, and social development

Developing and maintaining a secure framework for professional practice is a core part of any counselling and psychotherapy training, as all therapists need to understand the key values, ethics and laws that underpin the profession today. But what does being a member of a ′profession’ actually mean, and what does being a ‘professional’ actually involve? Structured around the BACP Core Curriculum, and with the help of exercises, case studies and tips for further reading, this book covers everything from the requirements of the BACP Ethical Framework to broader perspectives on good professional practice. It includes: Practising as a therapist in different roles and organizational contexts. Working with key issues, including difference, vulnerable clients and risk. Understanding the law and relevant legal frameworks for practice. Working ethically, including contrasting models and approaches to ethics.

Much legal research undertaken by psychologists has had a minimal impact upon law and public policy in the United States. This book diagnoses and offers a blueprint for correcting this fundamental problem.

Over 350 entries provide an authoritative & comprehensive A-Z list of topics in psychology and law, including criminal behaviour and treatment, juvenile offenders, eyewitness memory, forensic assessment and diagnosis, and trial processes.

In this volume top scholars contribute chapters covering a wide range of topics including jurisprudence, competency, children, forensic risk assessment, eyewitness testimony, jurors and juries, lawsuits, and civil law. Also included is an introductory chapter by the editor. The result is a unique and comprehensive treatment of the issues at the confluence of these disciplines.

Revised edition of the authors' Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions, 2008.