Law and professional psychology

Key areas of mandatory reporting relevant to psychologists

When do practitioners have immunity from being sued? How might a disciplinary hearing differ from a criminal or civil trial? What’s the difference between serving as an expert witness and a fact witness in a legal proceeding?

Keeping good records can help ensure continuity of care and protect practitioners in the event of legal proceedings. Knowing legal and regulatory requirements and related factors that affect record keeping is crucial to your practice.

This is the second of two articles addressing questions about record keeping that practitioners often raise with staff in the APA Practice Directorate.

In working with clients who are unable to afford the services they need, psychologists sometimes consider reducing their fee on a "sliding scale" basis. Doing so may carry significant legal risk if not instituted correctly.

Choosing the right legal structure for your practice—whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC—can shape everything from your liability to your taxes.

This article provides a basic overview of trademarks and how you can establish and protect your legal right to use the tools that identify your services in the marketplace.