The Psychiatric Witness in Court: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know

(Hardback)

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In The Psychiatric Witness In Court: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know, Cal Colarusso documents how the psychiatric profession plays a vital role in the legal process. Reports of evaluations and psychological test reports are provided, in addition to examples of direct testimony and cross-examination taken from actual cases. Colarusso ultimately demystifies the process by demonstrating that the well-prepared mental health expert has little to fear from cross-examination.

Reviews

Calvin Colarusso, who has written about the devastating impact of childhood sexual abuse, now turns his attention to the art and science of being a psychiatric witness in the legal system. With the help of lucid vignettes and in a step-by-step manner, Colarusso dispels misconceptions regarding the courtroom and guides us through the labyrinthine process of cross-examination in the court. He delineates the stands one needs to take in order to be comprehensible, even-handed, and just under such circumstances. Since any and all of us can be called to testify on behalf of our patients, Colarussos book is of immense help! -- Salman Akhtar, MD, is professor of psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College and training and supervising analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Calvin Colarusso, in his inimitable, erudite, yet straightforward and down-to-earth style, provides a very practical and helpful book for neophyte and seasoned psychiatric experts. While Dr. Colarusso offers basic nuts and bolts, he also sets forth and intertwines an advanced articulation of emotional and psychological variables brought to the table by the expert. The personal issues, or who the expert is, is often overlooked. The integration of these, at times, disparate facets of forensic work, provides a thoughtful and useful guide for the mental health expert. -- Joseph C. George, PhD, private practice
Cal Colarusso is a Renaissance Man-- physician, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst , author, teacher, and a citizen of the world. This book will become a classic in forensic psychiatry. From the psychoanalytic couch to courtroom combat, he is a master -- Reid Meloy, PhD, ABPP, Forensic Psychologist, co-editor, International Handbook of Threat Assessment; University of California, San Diego

Author Bio

Calvin A. Colarusso MD, is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Diego and training and supervising analyst in adult and child psychoanalysis at the San Diego Center for Psychoanalysis.