The family, the courts, and mental health professionals.

Discusses the different facets of the role of mental health professionals (MHPs) in the legal system. The MHP's role in the family court is compared with that in the criminal court. In the family court, MHPs generally deal in crisis intervention, evaluation, and referral for treatment. Involuntary civil commitment and child abuse are also major issues. MHPs are called on to intervene in divorce and child custody proceedings. Some state legislatures have mandated the employment of MHPs in mental health clinics attached to the courts. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)