1st Edition

Developing a Forensic Practice Operations and Ethics for Experts

By William H. Reid Copyright 2013
    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    Developing a forensic practice can be confusing and intimidating. Dr. William Reid, a highly experienced forensic psychiatrist, has written a practical, straightforward guide for clinicians interested in doing it right and increasing their opportunities for a successful transition to forensic work. This book, which will be of interest to many attorneys as well, provides straightforward details, along with many case examples, of lawyer-expert communications and relationships, case assessment, record review, evaluations, reports, deposition and trial testimony, fees and billing, office operations, marketing, liability, and professional ethics. A bonus chapter by a successful malpractice attorney gives a unique and valuable "lawyer’s perspective" on the content and mental health experts in general. The huge appendix provides over 40 highly useful examples of common office forms, letters, reports, and affidavits.

    Any mental health professional who currently practices, or wants to practice, at the interface of mental health and the law will find this an indispensible practice resource.

    Part I: Introduction
    Chapter 1: What to Expect from Forensic Work and Practice
    Chapter 2: What Do Your Clients Expect of You?
    Chapter 3: What Things are Most Important to Your Forensic Success
    Chapter 4: Professional Ethics
    Part II: Practice Principles and Client Relationships
    Chapter 5: Who Are Your Likely Clients (and Who Should Not be a Client)?
    Chapter 6: Forensic Practice as an Employee or Major Contractor
    Chapter 7: Initial Client/Attorney Contact
    Chapter 8: Client Agreements and Understandings
    Chapter 9: What You Need from the Client/Attorney/Court
    Part III: Case Review and Evaluations
    Chapter 10: Record Review
    Chapter 11: Examinations and Interviews
    Chapter 12: Formal Testing
    Chapter 13: Outside Consultations
    Part IV: Reports
    Chapter 14: General Principles and Procedures
    Chapter 15: Criminal Matters
    Chapter 16: Civil Matters
    Part V: Testimony
    Chapter 17: General Principles and Procedures
    Chapter 18: Testimony Itself
    Chapter 19: Depositions
    Chapter 20: Trials and Hearings
    Part VI: Business and the Office
    Chapter 21: Marketing
    Chapter 22: Billing and Collections
    Chapter 23: Other Office Procedures
    Chapter24: Liability in Forensic Practice
    Appendix and Glossary

    Biography

    William H. Reid, MD, MPH, past president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, has practiced forensic psychiatry for over 35 years in private settings, medical schools, and the public sector.

    "Already an established authority on this topic, Dr. Reid has delivered once again.  Developing a Forensic Practice is just what the doctors ordered—a highly practical, easily readable, and exceptionally well focused guide for staking one’s claim in this expanding area of practice." - Eric Y. Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP, Harvard Medical School; Former President, American Board of Forensic Psychology

    "Dr. William Reid is a senior, experienced forensic psychiatrist who has prepared an excellent practical treatise on developing a forensic practice.  This book should be read by every fellow in forensic psychiatry and every psychiatrist who practices forensic work and wishes to be successful and stay out of trouble." - Robert L. Sadoff, MD, Clinical Professor of Forensic Psychiatry and Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

    "Becoming credentialed is one thing; actually practicing is another.  Dr. William Reid, one of our foremost forensic psychiatrists, brings his wisdom to bear on the art and science of forensic mental health practice.  This is a most memorable and useful book, the kind of map that keeps us on the path of good work and out of the swamp of litigation." - J. Reid Meloy, PhD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Univ. of California, San Diego; Faculty, The San Diego Psychoanalytic Institute