"Mental Health Professionals in the Courtroom, An Ethical Perspective"

Mental health professionals are often subpoenaed to appear in court or to provide records, which can be terrifying if you don’t know what to do next. This presentation will highlight and explore the essential topics, unique roles and responsibilities that every mental health professional needs to understand to be able to respond ethically and professionally to protect their clients and themselves when they get pulled into the legal arena. The essential key topics that will be covered include: · Key legal terms and procedures · Ethical considerations unique to the legal setting and staying within one's area of expertise · Strategies for protective and ethical record keeping · Ethical responses to subpoenas · Strategies for effective and ethical court testimony How to handle the hard questions from attorneys when you are on the stand Protecting your license and decreasing risk of Board complaints through ethical practices

There will be interactive exercises including mock court questioning and case studies evaluations to help you develop practical skills, build confidence, and maintain professionalism. By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with actionable strategies to present your clinical findings credibly, effectively and ethically in a legal setting.