Family Therapists as Expert Witnesses: Helping Family Court Understand a new Language

1988 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Wittmann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Family Court ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Court System ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
The Family ◽  
Potential Problems

In this article the potential problems confronted by family evaluators and therapists as they interact with the family court system are reviewed. Problems related to communicating effectively during the course of expert testimony are discussed, with emphasis on the difficulty caused by the use of family oriented language in an arena accustomed to an individual emphasis. A series of recommendations are made to assist family oriented mental health professionals prepare for, and present expert testimony that is understandable by legal professionals and effective.

Children, Psychiatrists and the Courts: Understanding the Ambivalence of the Legal Profession: Part I - General Principles

1994 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 526-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bala
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Legal Profession ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
Court Proceedings ◽  
Court Process

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are frequently involved as expert witnesses in court proceedings related to children and adolescents. Their testimony may be based on a therapeutic relationship, but frequently arises because of an assessment conducted specifically for the court process. This two part paper discusses some of the issues that arise when child psychiatrists are involved as expert witnesses in litigation, with specific focus on their role in child custody, sexual abuse and young offender cases. It also offers some practical advice for those who may be called as witnesses. There is controversy in the legal profession about the role of mental health professionals in the court process. While there is recognition of their expertise, there is also a concern about not wanting to have experts usurp the role of the courts. Legal professionals also question the “objectivity” of experts, and the reliability of their opinions. Frequently the opinions of psychiatrists about children and adolescents involved in litigation have inherently speculative and value based dimensions, and not “scientific”. Participation in the court process by mental health experts is nevertheless a vitally important role, providing information, analysis and recommendations about what are often very difficult societal decisions. Part two of this paper starts on page 531.

Collaborating with Legal Professionals

2017 ◽  
pp. 384-394
Author(s):  
Eric G. Mart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Legal Professionals

This chapter provides information designed to assist mental health professionals in effectively marketing their services to courts, attorneys, and the legal system in general. Suggestions are offered to help mental health professionals decide whether they will be comfortable working in an adversarial environment. Methods for developing the skillsets necessary for performing forensic consultations in a competent, ethical manner are provided. Information regarding how to effectively market mental health services to legal professionals are reviewed. Various areas of subspecialty practice are described.

scholarly journals Assessing the Quality of Expert Testimony in Cases Involving Children

1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Legal Cases ◽  
The Many ◽  
Proper Weight ◽  
Health Experts

Mental health experts must be held to a high standard of quality when presenting opinions in legal cases involving children. This article sets forth a number of suggestions for judges, lawyers, and mental health professionals themselves to consider in preparing, scrutinizing, and judging the quality of forensic reports and testimony. The many pitfalls of forensic work need to be understood if such expertise is to be given its proper weight in these cases.

Toward Guidelines for the Development, Evaluation, and Utilization of Christian Self-Help Materials

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Brad Johnson ◽  
William L. Johnson ◽  
Casey Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Quality Control ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Utilization Patterns ◽  
Development Evaluation

This article explores the rapid proliferation of Christian self-help books, the advantages and potential problems relative to their use, and the literature regarding self-help utilization patterns among practicing mental health professionals. The authors then recommend consideration of several general guidelines for authors, reviewers, and professionals who might write, evaluate, or recommend self-help books to clients. These are offered as “quality control” standards which may serve to improve both the value of Christian self-help materials and the manner in which they are utilized.

Mental Health Expert Testimony: Current Problems

1977 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman G. Poythress
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Present State ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Legal Profession ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Health Expert ◽  
Mental Health Expert ◽  
State Of Affairs

In spite of the increasing utilization of mental health professionals as expert witnesses in the courts, neither the mental health professions nor the legal profession finds the present state of affairs concerning expert testimony to be satisfactory. This paper extensively reviews the literature which points to problems with both the mental health and the legal personnel who play major roles in mental health litigation. Also reviewed are the various proposals for change that have been suggested to date.

The Pediatrician's Role in Helping Children and Families Deal with Separation and Divorce

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-319
Author(s):  
Bernard A. Yablin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Child Development ◽  
American Academy ◽  
Family Court ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Court System ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
American Academy Of Pediatrics ◽  
The Family

The Psychosocial Committee is to be commended for its report on the pediatrician and divorce in the July issue of Pediatrics. I would like to add the following: The role of the pediatrician should extend well beyond the divorce and immediate adjustment process. Firstly, there should be greater involvement between both the pediatrician and the Family Court system to help prevent misplacement of the child in custody decisions. (I believe that various groups within the American Academy of Pediatrics are already working with judicial/legal groups to bring to them a greater knowledge of child development and mental health).

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