Principles and Practice of Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide

By Elissa P. Benedek, this authoritative book provides clinicians with trusted answers to thorny legal questions, making it an essential reference for those working in child and adolescent forensic mental health.

A Timely and Authoritative Source

Covering a range of critical topics, from child custody to litigation concerns, depositions, and courtroom testimony, this book is a valuable resource for both new and experienced practitioners. The updated edition expands on the award-winning 2002 volume, addressing pressing 21st-century concerns such as telepsychiatry, the Internet, and cultural competence.

Comprehensive Coverage of Forensic Mental Health

The book covers essential topics, including:

• Forensic evaluation and psychological screening
• Interviewing children for suspected sexual abuse
• Child custody, juvenile law, and permanent wardship cases
• Transcultural, transracial, and gay/lesbian parenting and adoption
• The reliability and suggestibility of children’s statements

New Chapters and Insights

This updated edition includes significant new material, including:

• Two chapters on special education, introducing screening instruments and guiding practitioners in determining a child’s need for special education programs and services
• A chapter on cultural competence, helping readers improve the accuracy and responsiveness of forensic evaluations
• Three new chapters on youth violence, covering taxonomy and neurobiology of aggression, prevention of school violence, and juvenile stalkers
• A newly written chapter on assessing violence risk, providing guidance on confronting problems like bullying and initiating effective family interventions
• A chapter on psychiatric malpractice and professional liability, addressing legal concerns specific to cases involving minors
• A chapter on psychological autopsy, evaluating the circumstances surrounding pediatric suicides and discussing legal issues such as admissibility of the autopsy in court
• A newly written chapter on the Internet, expanding on the previous book’s focus on child pornography to address issues like online threats and emotional and legal consequences of interactions in cyberspace

A Valuable Resource for Professionals

This comprehensive guide is essential not only for practitioners in psychiatry and mental health but also for attorneys and judges. By providing clarity and confidence in navigating legal complexities, it opens up a field that may often be avoided and helps professionals make their way through legal thickets with confidence.