NEW!
Order Code: RMC
Price: $49.95
262pp. 2008
Paperbound book /CD-ROM
ISBN10:
1568871082
ISBN13:
9781568871080

Reviews of this Book/CD-ROM

"Risk Management covers all the issues: informed consent, boundary violations, peer consultation, record keeping, dealing with complaints to the board, all in a positive vein. As a bonus, the forms obtainable from the accompanying CD-ROM are easily worth the price of the book - client registration, office policies, informed consent forms for different issues, treatment plan worksheets of various types, legal responses to subpoena, waivers, authorizations, and more. This book just keeps on giving, as generously as does the author himself. The biggest risk you take is not getting this book as soon as you can. If it doesn't save your life, or your career, should you be accused of ethical straying, you'll at least have a great read - and forms you've been hunting for years."
-David Ryback, PhD, ABPP, Organizational Consultant, EQ Associates International; Coauthor of the forthcoming Psychology of Champions (Praeger, in press)

"While books on ethics and law abound, Dr. Doverspike's book, Risk Management: Clinical, Ethical, & Legal Guidelines for Successful Practice, presents a refreshingly readable, practical, commonsense approach to ethics and risk management. His writing style and the thoroughness with which he addresses this topic area makes this a must read for all practicing psychologists."
-Jeffrey N. Younggren, PhD, ABPP, Risk Management Consultant, American Psychological Association Insurance Trust; Associate Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine

"A frequent observation expressed in surveys of state ethics chairs is the need for ethics education that goes beyond basic ethical concepts into complex yet common place situations. This book fits that bill to a tee. The material is clustered around key elements of sound ethical judgment including informed consent, boundaries, consultation, documentation, and responding to complaints. The illustrations and points to remember add richness and definition that makes the material thoroughly enjoyable.
"The gifted writing style of Dr. Doverspike offers the reader singularly refreshing perspectives on decision making that are sprinkled with great quips and truisms. Dr. Doverspike has that ability to present scientific and scholarly content in a very comfortable and colloquial manner. Finding oneself nodding and smiling while reading ethics material may not be a common occurrence for us, but it will assuredly happen in reading this book."
-Linda Campbell, PhD, Professor and Director, Center for Counseling and Evaluation, University of GA

"I've attended a number of excellent professional workshops on the subtle ethical issues arising in a particular area of practice, nuances of the interface of ethics and law, and so forth. It is certainly important for mental health practitioners to stay abreast of these issues. Yet, having taught ethics to our graduate students, it occurred to me that practitioners could benefit from a refresher on the basic principles of ethical practice - an 'Ethics 101' so to speak. Dr. Doverspike has done just that. His book offers practitioners a pragmatic, clearly written guide for managing those day-to-day aspects of ethical practice that are essential for providing competent mental health services. Understanding the subtleties and nuances of professional ethics is important. A resource like this book is indispensible."
-Timothy C. Brown, PhD, Clinical Psychology Program Chair, Argosy University, Atlanta Campus

"Dr. Doverspike's book. . . . is destined to become a classic in this field. It provides exactly what any practicing clinician needs: easily accessible and current information on issues that are vital to clinical practice. Dr. Doverspike always draws rave reviews in the ethics courses he teaches for us; reading this volume will explain why. It is thorough, comprehensive, and readable. This is one of those 'cannot-do-without' books that should be on the shelf of every mental health professional."
-C. Jeffrey Terrell, PhD, President, Psychological Studies Institute, Atlanta, GA

About the Author

William F. Doverspike, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and Diplomate in Neuropsychology, American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABPN). He is an Adjunct Professor at Argosy University in Atlanta, where he teaches graduate courses in professional ethics and psychotherapy, and a Adjunct Professor at the Psychological Studies Institute (PSI), where he teaches professional ethics and psychopathology. Dr. Doverspike is a former President of the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) and a current member of the GPA Ethics Committee. He is Editor of the Georgia Psychologist magazine and has authored over 100 articles and chapters on a variety of topics ranging from neuropsychology and psychotherapy to professional ethics and spirituality. Dr. Doverspike conducts continuing education seminars on professional ethics, risk management, and diagnostic consultation. He maintains a private practice in diagnostic consultation and individual psychotherapy at the Atlanta Counseling Center.

Table of Contents

The Book:

Acknowledgments / Preface / Contents of the CD-ROM / How to Use the CD-ROM

Chapter One - Ethical Risk Management: Some Personal Reflections

Chapter Two - Informed Consent Considerations: Preventing Ethical Problems Before They Arise

Chapter Three - Managing Boundaries: Staying Off the Slippery Slope

Chapter Four - Ethical Decision Making: Doing he Next Right Thing

Chapter Five - Consulting With Colleagues: Don't Worry Alone

Chapter Six - Documentation and Record Keeping: Putting It in Writing

Chapter Seven - Responding Ethically to Complaints and Investigations: Turning Negatives into Positives

References / Subject Index / Author Index / List of Tables

The CD-ROM

Form 1: Office Policies and Procedures
Form 2: Client Registration
Form 3: Informed Consent Checklist
Form 4: Informed Consent for Psychological Services
Form 5: Informed Consent for Financial Responsibility
Form 6: Statement of Understanding for Unauthorized Services and for Services Beyond Medical Necessity
Form 7: Statement of Understanding for Appointments That Are Unkept, Canceled, or Rescheduled With Less Than 24 Hours' Notice
Form 8: Statement of Understanding for Telephone Conferences
Form 9: Record of Phone Conversations
Form 10: Consultation Note
Form 11: Progress Note
Form 12: Psychotherapy Note
Form 13: Client History
Form 14: Client Background Information
Form 15: Mental Status Examination
Form 16: Problem List
Form 17: Treatment Plan Worksheet
Form 18: Behavioral Changes Worksheet
Form 19: Commitment to Treatment
Form 20: Collaterals Consent Form
Form 21: Policy on Sharing Information About Child Clients With Courts
Form 22: Informed Consent for Special Circumstances: Couples and Family Therapy
Form 23: Informed Consent for Special Circumstances: Children & Adolescents Ages 15 and Under
Form 24: Informed Consent for Special Circumstances: Adolescents Ages 16 to 17 Years Old
Form 25: Informed Consent for Special Circumstances: Young Adults Ages 18 Years and Older
Form 26: Informed Consent for Psychological Testing
Form 27: Informed Consent for Neuropsychological Testing
Form 28: Informed Consent for Counseling and Psychotherapy
Form 29: Informed Consent for Termination of Professional Services
Form 30: Informed Consent for Independent Consultative Examination
Form 31: Sample Letter of Agreement Regarding Financial Responsibility for Expert Testimony
Form 32: Sample Letter for Response to Request for Production of Documents
Form 33: Sample Letter for Response to Subpoena (for Licensed Psychologists)
Form 34: Sample Letter for Response to Subpoena (for Licensed Professional Counselors)
Form 35: Waiver of Privilege
Form 36: Telephone Reply to Telephone Request for Information
Form 37: Release of Information Form
Form 38: Authorization Form
Form 39: Closing Summary
Form 40: Treatment Outcome Measure
Form 41: Client Satisfaction Survey
Form 42: Professional Plan for the Sudden Termination of Practice

PowerPoint® File of Book in Outline Form