At some point in their careers, mental health professionals may face legal action from clients. Clients may be noncompliant regarding policies agreed upon at the outset of therapeutic services, not adhere to an individualized treatment plan, be inappropriately aggressive, and file unjustified ethics and licensing complaints and/or lawsuits. Unfortunately, many mental health practitioners are not prepared for such actions and suffer great distress that affects their professional and personal lives. This practical text, written by an author who is both a psychologist and an attorney, demonstrate.

Mental health practitioners under siege -- Social psychology of practitioner vulnerability: avoiding psychological errors -- Knowing the opposition -- A protective shield for professional services -- The practice context -- Business savvy: structuring and operating a mental health business -- Dealing with attorneys and the legal system -- Threatening and dangerous service users -- Appropriate defensiveness -- Avoiding ethical and licensing complaints and legal challenges.