Clinicians in Court

Allan E. Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD, is Professor of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where he teaches graduate courses in conflict resolution, professional ethics, and substance abuse. Dr. Barsky has practiced social work and mediation in legal settings that include the criminal court in New York and the family courts in New York, Toronto, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is a past president of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation and former National Board Member of the Network for Conflict Resolution Canada. The author of several books and numerous articles, he has presented his research at conferences around the world. Jonathan W. Gould, PhD, ABPP, is in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is a principal in the Charlotte Psychotherapy and Consultation Group. The author of two books and numerous articles, Dr. Gould has presented numerous workshops and seminars for clinical and legal audiences. His interests focus on developing more scientific approaches to child custody evaluations, defining role boundaries between clinical and forensic treatment, and applying forensic methods and procedures to child custody evaluations.

Introduction. Beginning with Yourself. First Contact. Preparation for Legal Proceedings. Oral Testimony at an Adjudication. Clinical Records. Expert Witnesses. Documentary Evidence. Claims against Clinicians. Alternatives to Adjudication. Conclusion. Epilogue. Glossary of Legal Terms. Appendices: A. Service Agreement for an Expert Witness for Review/Rebuttal Services. B. Fee Arrangement for an Expert Witness Who Is Called to Testify. C. Informed Consent to Participate in a Forensic Psychological Evaluation. D. Initial Letter to Attorneys after an Appointment Order. E. Sample Affidavit.