In a previous post on how to avoid legal problems when engaging in a new counseling relationship, we mentioned that you never know when a client will become involved in a legal dispute, like a divorce or a child custody case, that will require your participation....
Month: March 2014
Tips for Testifying Lesson 9: The Role of the Counselor in Child Custody Evaluations
Mental health professionals have to switch hats between different roles when their clients become involved in legal proceedings. While a counselor typically has a patient-focused therapeutic approach in normal counseling sessions, the requirements and...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 8: How to Anticipate and Avoid Legal Problems When Engaging in a New Counseling Relationship
In previous posts in this series of Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings, we've looked at specific advice for when you're on the witness stand, like how to respond to trick questions, how direct and cross-examination work, and who can testify as an expert....
Tips for Testifying Lesson 7: 10 Essential Differences Between a Therapeutic and a Forensic Relationship
We've previously covered the differences between lay witnesses and expert witnesses, as well as who is qualified to testify as an expert witness and the limitations on expert testimony. Essentially, a treating provider is limited to providing lay testimony on the...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 6: Who Is Qualified to Testify as an Expert
In our last lesson in our ongoing series, Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings, we looked at the differences between lay witnesses and expert witnesses, and pointed out that a lay witness on the stand can generally only testify about facts, while an expert witness...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 5: Lay Testimony, Expert Testimony, and the Mental Health Professional
Our series of Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings continues! In Lesson 4, we explored the courtroom procedure of direct and cross examination. Lesson 5 is a little more specific, focusing on when a mental health professional is allowed to give their...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 4: Direct and Cross Examination of Witnesses
This series of Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings is designed to help witnesses understand courtroom procedures, so they can be as comfortable and prepared as possible for giving their testimony. Our last lesson looked at how to handle trick questions...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 3: Watching Out for Trick Questions
In earlier lessons we learned about some basic tips for testifying, as well as some more advanced techniques for providing good testimony in legal proceedings. Our journey continues with tips for identifying and responding to more complex and tricky questions.Lesson...
Tips for Testifying Lesson 2: How to Respond to Questions on the Stand
Welcome to the second installment of MyFamilyLawyer.net's series of Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings. In Lesson 1, we discussed the basics of providing courtroom testimony. This lesson, on how to respond to questions on the stand, will describe more...
Tips for Testifying in Legal Proceedings Lesson 1: The Basics
Most non-lawyers are unfamiliar with how our legal system operates and the often adversarial nature of the process. Testifying in court routinely creates stress, worry and high anxiety for anyone untrained and unfamiliar with its nuances. As with any other new...