The Essentials of Florida Mental Health Law: A Straightforward Guide for Clinicians of All Disciplines

by Stephen H. Behnke, Alina M. Perez, Bruce J. Winick

Overview

An indispensable book for both student and practicing clinicians, as well as for lawyers who want a better understanding of this interesting and ever-changing field, The Essentials of Florida Mental Health Law explains in a straightforward and user-friendly manner the laws most relevant to mental health practice in Florida.
Both the format and content of this book are designed to remove the mystery and anxiety that many clinicians associate with lawyers, courts, and judges. As the authors state in their introduction, 'At the heart of this book is our belief that good patient care and knowledge of the law go hand in hand.
. . . Far from restricting or inhibiting clinical practice, knowing the essentials of Florida mental health law will free treaters from much undue - and unwarranted - anxiety about their legal rights and duties. . . . Such freedom will allow clinicians to concentrate on what they do best and enjoy most - treat patients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393703092
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	03/17/2000
Series:	Professional Book Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Stephen H. Behnke, J.D., Ph.D., is Director of the Program in the Practice of Scientific Investigation at the Harvard Medical School Division of Medical Ethics. He is on the Psychology Faculty of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, and an Instructor in Psychology in the Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry.

Alina M. Perez, J.D., L.C.S.W., is in private law practice in Miami, Florida.

Bruce J. Winick, J.D., is Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law since 1974, and co-founder of the school of social inquiry known as therapeutic jurisprudence. He has authored and edited numerous books, including most recently, The Right to Refuse Mental Health Treatment and Therapeutic Jurispreudence Applied: Essays on Mental Health Law.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	ix
	Introduction	xi
Part I	An Introduction to the Law	1
1.	A Brief Introduction to the Law	3
2.	Tarasoff and Its Florida Progeny	11
3.	Privacy, Confidentiality, and Testimonial Privilege	28
Part II	200 Questions on Florida Mental Health Law	53
4.	The Legal System and Legal Process	55
5.	Involuntary Hospitalization and Treatment	76
6.	Criminal Law	95
7.	Subpoenas and Court Orders	116
8.	Guardians and Substitute Decision-Making	128
9.	Confidentiality, Testimonial Privilege, and Mandatory Reporting	143
10.	Records and Record-Keeping	155
11.	Professional Liability	163
12.	Children and Families	191
	Afterword	205
Appendix A	Florida Statutes and Regulations Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and Testimonial Privilege	207
Appendix B	Sample Forms and Letters	219
	Bibliography	231
	Index	233