This course considers how law and legal doctrines can affect mental health professionals and the delivery of their services. Empirical research is used to illuminate the relationship between civil and criminal law to public and private mental health services. Class discussion emphasizes the distinction between what is and what ought to be in the legal regulation of this domain. Theory, research and practice in the assessment and treatment of, and intervention with, persons involved with the legal process who have clinical problems. A consideration of the relationship of psychology to the legal system's response to crime and criminals.
Special emphasis is given to psychology's role in creating a truly just, criminal justice system.
Critical review of theory, methods and research in the psychology, law and social policy interface relevant to special topics. A consideration of issues in the derivation of ethical criteria, selection of the appropriate subset of criteria to guide ethical decision-making, and utilization of the criteria when making a decision in psychological research or practice. A general title that allows faculty to teach specialized topics intermittently to graduate students. Usually used for student teaching assistant work. Usually used for working in an existing community setting.