A general resource list completes this chapter. Patients who are referred for treatment should be counselled that treating psychiatrists, as well as their notes, may be subpoenaed should charges be laid. Of note is the fact that the treating psychiatrist should not be the expert witness. During Litigation exemplifies the differences between the 2 disciplines of therapy and law. Therapy takes place in an atmosphere of confidentiality, trust, and support with the goal of healing.
Litigation takes place in the public arena of the courts with the goal of resolving disputes.
Potential for Misuse and Abuse of Psychiatry in Workplace Sexual Harassment outlines the ethical use, misuse, and abuse of psychiatry as well as the ways in which mental health professionals become involved, appropriately or inappropriately, in sexual harassment cases. Psychiatric referral itself may be used as evidence of weakness on the part of the victim. The way in which harassers may abuse psychiatry and their victims includes using actual, threatened, or forced psychiatric evaluations or treatment as a condition of employment. A biased assessment may be used against employees or students. The final 3 chapters deal with special types and settings of sexual harassment.