In California, we’ve seen a lot of changes to state law and to the ethical codes that govern mental health practice in the past 12 months. So I’m happy to announce the new third edition of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, updated for 2015 and available for preorder now.
The book includes more than 20 substantive changes and additions (including new state laws on record retention, reparative therapy, tough new penalties for substance abuse violations, and many more), and dozens of additional technical changes. The third edition is heavily updated to be consistent with 2015 California law, and with the new codes of ethics from the American Counseling Association (2014) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (2015).
The best change, though, may be this: The price for the new edition is $20 lower than previous editions, selling for $79 rather than the prior $99.
A relatively complete list of substantive changes follows (I’ve bolded those I think you may be particularly interested in). As you can see, there is new material in almost every chapter. If you’d like to learn more or preorder, you can do so at the book’s web site, www.CALawBook.com. Happy New Year!
- Reformatted to 6×9
- Added table numbers throughout
- Updated AAMFT and ACA ethics code references throughout
- Added ethics language to state line issue (ch 1)
- Added info on BBS intern hours proposal (ch 2)
- Updated chart of LPCC experience requirements (ch 2)
- Added info on exam subversion in social media (ch 3)
- Added new 7-year record retention standard (ch 3)
- Added info on uniform standards related to substance use violations (ch 3)
- Added info on social media to informed consent (ch 4)
- Added importance of defining who is the client (ch 4)
- Added new 7-year record retention standard (ch 5)
- Added new 24-hour reporting requirement for threat to others (ch 5)
- Added info on confidentiality in the internet age (ch 5)
- Added info on sexting legislation (ch 6)
- Added info on ban on reparative therapy for minors (ch 6)
- Clarified LPCC restriction on family work (ch 6)
- Added info on BBS cite-and-fine authority for advertisements (ch 8)
- Added new ACA requirements on web sites and social media (ch 8)
- Added info on networking groups (ch 8)
- Updated info on use of MFTI and PCCI in advertising (ch 8)
- Added info on ABD degree status (ch 8)
- Updated info on LPCCs and LCSWs use of testimonials (ch 8)
- Added info on telehealth organizations (ch 9)
- Added info on HITECH Act (ch 9)
- Updated chart of ethical requirements for use of technology (ch 9)
- Added note on unpaid internships in for-profit settings (ch 10)
- Added California’s reparative therapy ban as an example of effective advocacy (ch 10)
- Added list of tables (Appendix)