• 2006 204pp paperback ISBN: 9781568870984
The author examines a number of cases dealing
with multiple relationships which were either charged by a licensing
board or were part of a malpractice action or an ethics committee
complaint. In each chapter, he identifies a different issue and
discusses the specific rules, generally accepted in the licensing of
mental health professionals, pertaining to that issue. His approach is
conservative with the aim of exposing the practitioner to as little
chance as possible of complaints. Through wit and example, the author
teaches the reader to recognize potential problem situations and make
the proper decisions to minimize the potential of a destructive ethics
complaint. An excellent resource for anyone involved in practice now or
planning to practice in the future.
"Providing the type of practical guidelines
that clinicians need when faced with ethical dilemmas involving
multiple relationships, Dr. Ebert offers a series of decision-making
rules that address a variety of situations ranging from social contacts
with clients to ethical no-brainers such as insider trading and real
estate transactions. The book is filled with case examples ranging from
the mundane to the bizarre, including a section of the obvious hazards
of 'hot-tubbing' with clients. Several of the case examples are actual
cases that have been taken from public records of licensing board
complaints and malpractice lawsuits, illustrating how truth is indeed
stranger than fiction. The author's subtle use of humor underlying the
ethical analysis of the real and hypothetical cases adds a balance to
the seriousness of the subject matter that is guaranteed to keep an
ethics seminar entertaining. In the broad array of approaches to
multiple relationships, ranging from the liberal to the conservative
ends of the continuum, Dr. Ebert's psycholegal book should be placed
clearly on the right side of the shelf."
-William F. Doverspike, PhD, ABPP, Ethics Committee, Georgia Psychological Association; Author of Ethical Risk Management
"Starting with the assertion that not all multiple
relationships are harmful to the client, Dr. Ebert discusses a wide
range of potential multiple relationships and provides useful tools to
assist the practitioner in deciding which relationships to avoid. He
shows great respect for the practitioner's positive motivation and
judgment, and his suggestions are flexible and realistic. The actual
case examples add to the book's appeal, usefulness, and relevance. Dr.
Ebert treats the subject matter seriously and with due respect, but he
does so with a wit and warmth that make the book a pleasure to read.."
-John L. Malouf, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, University of Utah; Coauthor of Keeping Up the Good Work: A Practitioner's Guide to Mental Health Ethics
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
Multiple Relationships: Background
Chapter 1: Multiple Relationships and Their Consequences for Mental Health Professionals Chapter 2: Analysis of Multiple Relationship Issues Chapter 3: Determining Which Multiple Relationships Are a Problem Chapter 4: Sex With Clients Chapter 5: Sex With former Therapy Clients Chapter 6: Sex and Other Multiple Relationships With Students and Supervisees Chapter 7: Social Contact With Clients Chapter 8: Insider Trading & Use of Information Gained When Providing Professional Services Chapter 9: Employment of Clients Chapter 10: Working Couples Chapter 11: Treating Multiple Members of a Family and Other Related Issues Chapter 12: Forensic Multiple Relationships Chapter 13: Conclusion
Appendices
Professional Association Addresses
Guidelines for Selecting an Attorney Consultant
How to Select a Nonattorney Consultant
References
Subject Index
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About the Author
Bruce W. Ebert, PhD, JD, LLM, is a clinical and
forensic psychologist and an attorney in private practice near
Sacramento, California. He practices law with the firm of Hubbard &
Ebert, LLP. Dr. Ebert teaches ethics and law courses in forensic
psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology and has
taught at several universities and schools including the University of
California - Davis School of Medicine, John F. Kennedy University
Professional School of Psychology, and the University of San Francisco.
He received a doctorate from the California School of Professional
Psychology in 1979. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and his LLM degree in
health law from Saint Louis University. Dr. Ebert is board certified in
clinical and forensic psychology (ABPP) by the American Board of
Professional Psychology. He served as a member of the California Board
of Psychology, the largest psychology licensing board in the world,
serving five terms as its president. He is a Fellow of the Association
of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and a Silver Psy award
winner from the California Psychological Association (CPA). He
represents mental health professionals in a variety of legal matters and
practices appellate law in veteran's cases. He served as an officer in
the United States Air Force, leaving active duty in 1990.