Mr. John R Puls, LCSW, MCAP
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Office: 708-655-1863
John Puls is a licensed psychotherapist, Master's Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP), and qualified expert witness based in Florida. He brings nearly a decade of direct clinical and administrative experience across all levels of care in substance abuse and mental health treatment, including detoxification units, residential programs, outpatient services, crisis stabilization units, and Baker Act receiving facilities.
Mr. Puls is recognized for his deep understanding of clinical best practices and standards of care in both mental health and addiction treatment settings. He has designed and implemented evidence-based programming for treatment centers, with a focus on aligning services with state and national standards, including the ASAM Criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine) for determining appropriate levels of care.
He has been retained as an expert witness in a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including but not limited to:
- Marchman Act proceedings (both petitioner and respondent)
- Wrongful death litigation
- Dram shop liability cases, including those involving the complex “habitual addiction” exception under Florida law
- Personal injury claims involving mental health or substance use
- Family law cases with addiction or psychiatric considerations
- Baker Act matters involving involuntary psychiatric evaluations
- Cases involving suicide, overdose, and alleged breaches of the standard of care in treatment facilities or by individual providers
In dram shop litigation, Mr. Puls provides critical insight into the clinical realities of alcohol dependence, including whether a defendant met the legal criteria of “habitual addiction” and whether a vendor’s actions constituted knowing service under Florida law. His expertise often proves pivotal in educating the court on the medical and psychological dimensions of substance use disorders.
Mr. Puls has also served as an expert in sexual assault cases occurring within addiction treatment and mental health facilities, providing critical analysis of facility protocols, supervision practices, staff training, and institutional responsibilities related to patient safety and vulnerability. His evaluations consider both regulatory standards and industry best practices, helping courts assess whether appropriate safeguards were in place to protect patients. His insight is especially valuable in determining whether systemic failures contributed to the occurrence or mishandling of sexual abuse within clinical settings.
With extensive experience in both treatment and legal contexts, Mr. Puls offers clear, objective, and authoritative expert analysis in complex cases where mental health or addiction is at issue.
- Alcohol Abuse
- Community Mental Health
- Compulsive Gambling
- Drug Abuse
- Emotional Trauma
- Stress
- Suicide
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Master of Social Work (MSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Master's Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP)
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: NASW
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Adjunct professor at the School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University. Primary focus on substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, and general social work practice.
Puls, J., Et al. (2020, January 21). Spanish River High School Panel Discussion - Substance Use Issues. Panel discussion for Spanish River High School Parents in coordination with Jewish Family Services.
Puls, J. (2021, March 10). Integrating Families Into the Treatment Process. Community training for local professionals in coordination with Guardardian Recovery Network.
Puls, J. (2021, June 11). The Power of Language in Substance Use. Webinar continuing education presentation for TPN Health.
Puls, J., Et al. (2022, January 25). Fentanyl Awareness and Harm Reduction. Webinar panel discussion for families in coordination with B’Nai Torah Congregation and Jewish Family Services.
Puls, J. (2022, April 22). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Current Research. Recovery Strategies. Webinar Presentation for the Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach.
Puls, J. Et al. (2022, November 8). The Marchman Act: Planning for Individuals and Families Struggling with Substance Use. Webinar panel discussion for Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work
Puls, J. (2023, June 17). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Workshop presented for the National Association of Social Workers Florida 2023 conference.
Puls, J. (2023, September 15). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Webinar presented for the South Florida Christian Counselors Association.
Puls, J. (2023, October 20). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Webinar presented for the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association.
Puls, J. (2023, October 30). Understanding the Opioid Crisis and Harm Reduction. Workshop for Lynn University Psychology Students.
Puls, J., Et al. (2023, November 3). Client Acquisition From a Business and Clinical Perspective. Panel Discussion for the East Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders.
Puls, J. (2023, November 17). Assertive Community Treatment: A Paradigm Shift in Treating Severe Mental Illness. Workshop presentation for the Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach.
Puls, J. (2023, December 8). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Webinar presentation for the National Board of Forensic Evaluators.
Puls, J. (2024, March 22). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Workshop presented for the Palm Beach Florida Psychological Association.
Puls, J. Et al. (2024, May 31). Cannabis Induced Psychosis and Clinical Strategies. Panel discussion for the South Florida Professional Liaison Association.
Puls, J. (2024, June 19). Navigating the Opioid Crisis: A Comprehensive Review of Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. Workshop presentation for the National Association of Social Workers Florida Conference.
Puls, J. (2024, June 20). Assertive Community Treatment: A Paradigm Shift in Treating Severe Mental Illness. Workshop presentation for the National Association of Social Workers Florida Conference.
Puls, J. (2024, July 30). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Workshop presentation for CE You! Summer Conference.
Puls, J. (2024, August 2). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. NAMI Palm Beach County general meeting presentation.
Puls, J. (2024, September 14). Assertive Community Treatment: A Paradigm Shift in Treating Severe Mental Illness. Virtual CE training for the 2024 Global Exchange Conference
Puls, J. (2024, September 20). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Implications for Crisis Intervention. Workshop for the Wisconsin Crisis Intervention Conference
Puls, J. (2024, October 1). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. Webinar for the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition.
Puls, J. (2025, January 25). Assertive Community Treatment: A Paradigm Shift in Treating Severe Mental Illness. CE training for the Broward County Mental Health Counselors Association
Puls, J. (2025, January 31). Navigating the Baker Act: History, Ethics, and Practical Insights. CE training for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association annual conference
Puls, J. (2025, February 21). Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Recent Trends in Cannabis Use. CE training at Futures Recovery Healthcare - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: 30
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Substance abuse, substance abuse treatment facilities, mental health facilities, suicide, marchman act, licensed clinical social worker standard of care, individual mental health practitioners, baker act, Florida dram shop, and family law cases.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 60%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 40%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 7
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 08/2024
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 20
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 20
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 5
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, case review for merit, expert witness assessments, written reports, expert witness deposition, and court testimony.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $400
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $400
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $400
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $400
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Reason travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and meals will need to be reimbursed.
Available upon request.