Use of the Chemical Imbalance Hypothesis by Mental Health Professionals Acting as Expert Witnesses in Court

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam E Steen ◽  
Peter Kinderman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Chemical Imbalance

Children, Psychiatrists and the Courts: Understanding the Ambivalence of the Legal Profession: Part I - General Principles

1994 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 526-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bala
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Legal Profession ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
Court Proceedings ◽  
Court Process

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals are frequently involved as expert witnesses in court proceedings related to children and adolescents. Their testimony may be based on a therapeutic relationship, but frequently arises because of an assessment conducted specifically for the court process. This two part paper discusses some of the issues that arise when child psychiatrists are involved as expert witnesses in litigation, with specific focus on their role in child custody, sexual abuse and young offender cases. It also offers some practical advice for those who may be called as witnesses. There is controversy in the legal profession about the role of mental health professionals in the court process. While there is recognition of their expertise, there is also a concern about not wanting to have experts usurp the role of the courts. Legal professionals also question the “objectivity” of experts, and the reliability of their opinions. Frequently the opinions of psychiatrists about children and adolescents involved in litigation have inherently speculative and value based dimensions, and not “scientific”. Participation in the court process by mental health experts is nevertheless a vitally important role, providing information, analysis and recommendations about what are often very difficult societal decisions. Part two of this paper starts on page 531.

Family Therapists as Expert Witnesses: Helping Family Court Understand a new Language

1988 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Wittmann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Family Court ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Court System ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
The Family ◽  
Potential Problems

In this article the potential problems confronted by family evaluators and therapists as they interact with the family court system are reviewed. Problems related to communicating effectively during the course of expert testimony are discussed, with emphasis on the difficulty caused by the use of family oriented language in an arena accustomed to an individual emphasis. A series of recommendations are made to assist family oriented mental health professionals prepare for, and present expert testimony that is understandable by legal professionals and effective.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document