This second edition of Legal and Ethical Dictionary for Mental Health Professionals confronts the problems arising from a lack of clear understanding of mental health laws or terminologies. Case law continues to show that mental health professionals (MHPS) lose cases because they base their professional actions on incorrect definitions or misunderstandings of legal and ethical terms. Some have been professionally sanctioned or had their licenses revoked as a result of making professional decisions or actions based upon improper understanding of confusing language. This dictionary provides MHPS with clear and concise definitions of legal and ethical terminologies. To enhance the professional's understanding, a professional significance section has been added after the definitions to further comprehension of practical dimensions of the words and to aid in legal and ethical decision-making.

Case law evidence shows that mental health professionals (MHPS) have lost cases in court because they based their professional action on the wrong definition of legal or ethical terminology. Many have also been sanctioned or their license revoked because of professional actions arising from a lack of clear understanding of these terminologies. This dictionary confronts this problem by providing MHPS with clear, concise, and functional definitions of many legal and ethical terminologies. A review of the meaning of these terms before a professional action or activity is sure to enhance compliance with ethical and legal standards and regulations. The addresses and phone numbers of state licensure boards for counselors, psychologists and social workers are included to facilitate consultation in related issues not specifically covered by definitions.

This book will help practicing mental health professionals understand the sometimes intricate responsibility of breaching clinical confidentiality when clients become dangerous to themselves or others. It examines the basis for clinical confidentiality, presents methods for the evaluation of client dangerousness, and proposes legally and ethically permissible methods to breach confidentiality. The Danger-to-Self-or-Others Exception to Confidentiality contains case-law updates which should help practitioners with situations that require the breach of confidentiality. This text strives to clear up some of the confusing issues surrounding suicide evaluation, death with dignity, inherently dangerous populations, and the role of client commitment in the breach-of-confidentiality process. Ahia also discusses two important concepts - informed consent and privileged communication - as they relate to the rights of clients.

This second edition of Legal and Ethical Dictionary for Mental Health Professionals confronts the problems arising from a lack of clear understanding of mental health laws or terminologies. Case law continues to show that mental health professionals (MHPS) lose cases because they base their professional actions on incorrect definitions or misunderstandings of legal and ethical terms. Some have been professionally sanctioned or had their licenses revoked as a result of making professional decisions or actions based upon improper understanding of confusing language. This dictionary provides MHPS with clear and concise definitions of legal and ethical terminologies. To enhance the professional's understanding, a professional significance section has been added after the definitions to further comprehension of practical dimensions of the words and to aid in legal and ethical decision-making.

Case law evidence shows that mental health professionals (MHPS) have lost cases in court because they based their professional action on the wrong definition of legal or ethical terminology. Many have also been sanctioned or their license revoked because of professional actions arising from a lack of clear understanding of these terminologies. This dictionary confronts this problem by providing MHPS with clear, concise, and functional definitions of many legal and ethical terminologies. A review of the meaning of these terms before a professional action or activity is sure to enhance compliance with ethical and legal standards and regulations. The addresses and phone numbers of state licensure boards for counselors, psychologists and social workers are included to facilitate consultation in related issues not specifically covered by definitions.