Counselling, Psychotherapy and the Law

Peter Jenkins is to be congratulated on this clear, concise, comprehensive guide. It's a mine of information - a most useful reference tool.... It's all there... clear explanations of the legal processes and the court system, historical background, case-law and examples, rationale and balanced criticism, and it's right up-to-date, with indications of future developments in the law.... I anticipate that this important, authoritative book will become required reading for advanced counselling students and an indispensable resource manual for therapists, supervisors, service-providers and lawyers specializing in the relevant fields' - Counselling News

Full of practical information and professional guidelines, this book is the first comprehensive introduction to the law in relation to counselling and psychotherapy in England and Wales.

Peter Jenkins examines such crucial issues as: data protection law; insurance; informed consent; the potential for law suits and complaints; counselling children and young people; confidentiality and record-keeping; and problems relating to child abuse, suicide and third parties. Legal issues are illustrated by examples and the reference material provided includes a glossary of legal terms and lists of relevant cases and statutes. The book concludes by looking at likely future trends, and considers the possible effects of European law on counselling and psychotherapy.