Fifty Ways to Avoid Malpractice

By
ROBERT HENLEY WOODY

    All mental health practitioners, whether in public or private practice, are constantly exposed to the risk of devastating malpractice suits.  Dr. Woody draws on his extensive experience as an attorney and psychologist to offer a straightforward guide to providing legally safe and ethically acceptable services to your clients.  The book is written clearly and concisely with the goal of teaching the mental health practitioner to proactively practice in a manner that will minimize the possibility of a malpractice complaint.  Dr. Woody provides an overview of the public policy and legal principles involved in professional liability and then pinpoints the strategies for risk management and avoidance of malpractice that can immediately be put to use in your practice.

REVIEWS

"I was impressed by the clear and straightforward writing style and I found the guidelines to be helpful and thought provoking...I believe this volume is a most helpful primer for mental health professionals.  Reading of this brief volume should encourage practitioners to dig even more deeply into professional and legal issues involved in practice.  I found the hints provided in the guidelines to serve as helpful reminders to myself, my colleagues and to our students in training!"
     *Norman Abeles, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of Clinical Training, Michigan State University

"The heart of this book is Dr. Woody's extensive discussion of 'Negligence and Standards of Care' in which he lucidly clarifies in precise terms the malpractice risks and responsibilities of the human service practitioner.  Dr. Woody offers 50 guidelines which teach us to practice proactively and to avoid malpractice.  Social work students, teachers, and practitioners should get to know this very useful book."
      *Richard Boettcher, Dean, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University

"Dr. Woody has produced a useful, needed and readable book...a handy, comprehensive malpractice reference for seasoned professionals...an introductory work for practitioners new to the field."
     *Clinical Psychology Review

"How can one recommend a 'must' book, when the term 'must' has been overused and abused?  How can a reviewer recommend a book that is not only crucial but basic to our everyday professional practice?  In reading this easily readable book, one becomes aware of how ignorant we are about the pitfalls of clinical practice.  If this book does not help you in your practice and does not return your investment in it within a month, I do not know what will."
     *Luciano L'Abate, PhD, Georgia State University