Book Title:
Law and Mental Health: A Case-Based Approach (Hardcover)
by Robert G. Meyer, Christopher M. Weaver
Editorial Reviews:
Book Description
This volume presents classic and contemporary legal cases that have set important precedents related to psychological and mental health issues in criminal and civil proceedings; the role of practitioners as expert witnesses and forensic consultants; and legal concerns in general clinical practice.
Engagingly written, the book brings to life the details of each case and the personal stories involved, while also providing a solid introduction to foundational issues in the field. Forensic and clinical professionals will find this a highly informative resource, and it will also be useful for undergraduate – and graduate -level courses and professional training.
Review
“Combining landmark legal case analyses with fascinating historical background, the psychologist-authors take the reader behind the scenes and into the personal lives of the characters – far more colorful than fictional ones – who play various roles in the cases. This book is as gripping as it is instructive.” – Thomas G. Gutheil, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Program in Psychiatry and the Law, Massachusetts Mental Health Center
“Mental health clinicians must have a foundation of legal knowledge, whether working in general practice or directly engaged in forensic settings. The law can be intimidating and its jargon can be difficult for non-lawyers to grasp. Meyer and Weaver provide insight into legal rules and principles by telling the stories of important legal cases related to mental health. These well-chosen case narratives and the authors’ clear, insightful commentaries enable readers to reach a level of legal literacy critical to practice. This volume is a valuable resource for courses on mental health law, and practitioners will also benefit from reading these fascinating cases.” – Robert G. Madden, LCSW, JD, Department of Social Work, Saint Joseph College
“Meyer and Weaver have authored a unique book, one that actually makes reading and reviewing case law both interesting and memorable. Landmark cases are described in sufficient detail in a style that is readable and, at times, humorous. Classic cases are included, along with more recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. This important text is a ‘must’ for forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who conduct forensic mental health assessments; for those preparing for board certification examinations; and for advanced graduate students in psychology and law courses.” – Alan M. Goldstein, PhD, board-certified forensic psychologist, Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
“Law and Mental Health is a comprehensive review of the major cases that define mental health law. Professionals and students will find this book to be of considerable value in understanding both how courts deal with mental health issues and how major cases have shaped the law.” – Steven Smith, JD, California Western School of Law
“This book has been a useful text for the Mental Health Law class in our clinical psychology graduate program. It offers a clear explication of the topic or content area, complemented by a review of applicable cases that highlights key points and brings the issues to life. Students have commented that they appreciate the use of the actual case material, as it adds a level of clarity and understanding beyond a presentation of the more didactic material. Because the authors are psychologists, they are able to discuss important issues in mental health law in a clear, coherent manner, without the legalese often found in more traditional texts. The organization of the book has allowed us to use selected chapters throughout the quarter, in a sequence that coincides with the course syllabus. We will no doubt continue to use this text in the future.” – Ann Sauer, PhD, Clinical Psychology Program, Midwestern University
“A remarkable book… One of the areas I found most impressive is Meyer and Weaver’s coverage of topics and case law that no other books on forensic psychology really adequately address, such as hypnosis and polygraph, eyewitness testimony, and the status of case law regarding sexual orientation… This book is a gem. It is clearly written and coherent and provides a fascinating perspective on how case law informs clinical forensic practice… As a textbook, it will deepen and richen the understanding of major substantive issues in the law that may be covered by other books that go less into depth…It is also very valuable as a reference, even for advanced practitioners in the field.” – APA Psyc CRITIQUES