Expert Witness

Expert Witness

I am a lawyer (JD, LL.M) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), who specializes in the field of ETHICS for lawyers and mental health professionals. I represent attorneys and mental health professionals in bar and licensing board (ethics) complaints and consult with practitioners in both professions to avoid such complaints (risk prevention).

Through my business, BEYOND ETHICS, LLC, I offer ethics training in the form of continuing education units (CEUs and CPDs) and continuing legal education (CLEs). If interested in training for your firm, agency, or business, please consult my web site for training: beyond-ethics.com.

I have lectured around the country on various iterations of Ethical Practices in High-Risk Clinical Practices, where my focus is on helping clinicians protect themselves ethically when drawn into legal matters for their clients or when clients file ethics complaints against the therapist. I have trained lawyers to use mental health professionals more effectively in their cases and assisted lawyers litigating mental health malpractice.

Attorneys around the country have sought my assistance in mental health litigation involving claims against therapists. Generally, I have been retained to render an expert opinion on whether the clinical professional’s actions fell below the requisite standard of care for the profession. Other expert witness consultations involved reviewing depositions of mental health litigants or helping draft deposition/trial questions for mental health professionals.

I have been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 1980 and currently hold LCSW licensure in Louisiana and Texas (inactive). I have been an attorney since 1991 and am admitted to the United States Supreme Court and the State Bars of Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas (inactive). To discuss my fee structure and scope of desired services, call me at 504.232.8884 or email me.

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Deborah M. Henson