This monograph provides a thorough introduction to the adversarial legal process and explains how mental health professionals function as general witnesses within the system. Counselors who read this publication will understand their rights and responsibilities before they are drawn into the legal system. General questions and answers are included…

This document contains a collection of 35 articles organized into 6 chapters. The articles are primarily reprints from American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD) publications on the most important legal and ethical topics about which all school counselors need to be informed. The six chapters deal with: "Ethical Standards";…

This document contains chapter 3 (7 articles) of a collection of 35 articles primarily from American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD) publications on the most important legal and ethical topics about which all school counselors need to be informed. "The Law and Ethical Practices in Elementary and Middle Schools" (Theodore P.…

Sees it as essential that school counselors have understanding of roles they must play when they suspect child abuse. Asserts that counselors can help make turmoil that follows a report more bearable if they understand their roles. Considers roles of informant, counselor to the victim or perpetrator, employee, liaison with others, court witness,…

Examines the role of mental health counselors in the evaluation of families for child custody disputes. Suggests that even though child custody evaluation requires specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience, it can become a rewarding aspect of a mental health counselor's practice. (LLL)

Surveyed district-level school counseling supervisors. In the few school divisions that employed guidance supervisors, most staff had guidance training and experience. Supervisors indicated that they spend a substantial portion of their time providing direct consultative support and assistance to counselors, engaged in few research activities, and…

Notes that only counselors who lack appropriate skills or who are negligent in their care of students will be held accountable by courts for suicide attempts or deaths of students. Considers suicide prevention skills that school counselor should possess. Discusses difficulty in prediction, confidentiality, prevention programs, and the involvement…

Interviewed 44 middle school students, parents, teachers, and principals to determine perceptions of the role of middle school counselors. All groups indicated that counselors should help students with personal problems; groups saw need for services currently provided by counselors, but also desired change in counseling programs. (NB)

Presents a model for intervention for addressing drug use and sexual permissiveness that seems to be effective and practical for use with adolescents. Describes four components of social cognitive learning theory of detrimental lifestyle change (informational, development of social and self-regulatory skills, skill enhancement through guided…

This digest summarizes ethical and legal issues affecting school counselors. It emphasizes the importance of ethical standards, and of knowing the content, purposes, and limitations of professional codes of conduct as general guidelines for addressing difficult issues. Advice is offered on how to address colleagues' unethical behavior, and on…