Another of the more persistent myths in mental health practice is whether certain acts require the approval of two physicians. In the last 6 months I have been asked the following question, in varying form, four times: “Is it true that if two physicians sign off on _______, this satisfies the legal...

One day you receive a telephone call from someone whose voice you do not recognize.  The caller asks, “do you see _______ (insert the name of one of your clients) as a patient in your practice?”  Because you are trained in your ethical and legal responsibilities, you answer appropriately.  Later...

A question came up at a “law and ethics in geriatric mental health” training in LA County regarding the requirements for reporting elder abuse. Specifically, the question was whether or not there is a period of time within which mandated reporters must make a report when they know of or suspect elder...

Professional liability and risk management tend to be some of the more stressful topics for most clinicians. Receiving a license to practice involves years of study and significant investments of energy and money. It is thus understandable that most clinicians go to great lengths to protect their ability...