Handling Today’s Hidden Ethical Dilemmas (AP1308) (Audio Only)

We therapists may like to think that as good-hearted, upright, and caring people, we don’t really need formal codes of ethics. However, as the seductive informality of our times has transformed even our most basic ideas of when our “office” hours end and where therapy takes place, the standards of care for our profession have become increasingly fuzzy. This audio series will provide you with updated guidelines for how to stay within the ethical straight and narrow in a world where personal and social boundaries have become so blurry that it’s possible to transgress them without even realizing it.

• How to navigate through the new ethical issues digital communications have introduced into our field.
• A contemporary perspective on the dos and don’ts of therapist self-disclosure, dual relationships, client gift giving, and participating in ceremonies and social occasions with clients outside the office.
• Sound principles for self-care, clinical supervision, collegial support, and documentation procedures that provide safeguards against ethical problems down the road.
• The latest developments in the ethical and legal requirements that you need to understand in order to practice safely and effectively.

Session 1: 21st-Century Ethical Dilemmas

Mary Jo Barrett

Get practical guidance on how to establish boundaries from the first session on:

• The Dos and Don'ts of Therapist Self-Disclosure
• Negotiating Dual Relationships
• Participating in Client Celebrations and Ritual Occasions
• Making Use of Consultation Groups
• Ethical Vulnerability and therapist Self-Care

Session 2: Ethics in the Digital Age

Ofer Zur

Explore the new ethical issues digital communications technology has introduced into our field:

• Googling Therapists and Clients
• To Accept or Not to Accept “Friending”
• The Ethics of Email
• Texting and Cell Phone Use with Clients
• The Dark Side of the Web

Session 3: The Therapist's Duty to Warn

Clifton Mitchell

Examine the latest developments in your legal and ethical responsibilities as a therapist:

• Ethical vs. Legal Obligations
• Reporting Rape, Date Rape, and Statutory Rape
• Reporting Child Abuse
• When Physical Harm Is Threatened
• The Threat of Self-Injurious Behavior

Session 4: The Ethics of Termination

William Doherty 

Learn how to broach termination when the client is no longer benefiting from therapy:

• Evaluating Client Progress
• Dealing with the Dissatisfied Client
• Inappropriate Therapist Terminations
• Avoiding Client Blame
• The Obligation to Refer and How to Handle It

Session 5: Law, Ethics, and Risk Management

Steven Frankel 

Receive an overview of the most frequently asked questions about the ethical and legal risks of practice:

• When Competence and Dual Relationships are the Issue
• Unprofessional Conduct vs. Personal Misconduct
• Malpractice vs. Board Violations
• Boundary Crossings vs. Boundary Violations
• When Therapists Commit Fraud

Session 6: Telemental Health in the 21st Century

Marlene Maheu 

Explore the ethical issues of using Skype, e-mail, and other distance therapy tools:

• Getting Training in Online Counseling
• HIPPA Guidelines for Distance Therapy
• Common Issues with Video, Phone, and Email Therapy
• Using iPhone Apps and Self-Help eBooks
• State Licensing Issues with Skype and Other Distance Therapies

Learning Objectives - Session 1 (Mary Jo Barrett):

1. Evaluate today’s ethical dilemmas and how to resolve them.
2. Explain how to develop unambiguous boundaries in the consulting room.
3. Discuss risk management and the role of self-reflection, supervision, and consultation.

Learning Objectives - Session 2 (Ofer Zur):

1. Explain the ethical issues that have developed due to the use of new technologies.
2. Describe how to manage social media as a professional.
3. Discuss how to handle clients who find out information about you via Facebook or Internet search engines.

Learning Objectives - Session 3 (Clifton Mitchell):

1. Identify the responsibilities of confidentiality.
2. Assess situations in which it’s your obligation to warn the potential victim.
3. Describe the Tarasoff decision and explain how it affects therapy.

Learning Objectives - Session 4 (William Doherty):

1. Reflect on how the scenarios from “In Treatment” compare to the real-life hazards of unclear boundaries.
2. Illustrate effective and ineffective therapist/supervisor relationships.
3. Discuss situations in which personal issues come into play in therapy and how to reach a resolution.

Learning Objectives - Session 5 (Steven Frankel):

1. Name HIPAA regulations and the relevance to mental health professionals.
2. Define the doctrine of informed consent.
3. Identify the limits of confidentiality.

Learning Objectives - Session 6 (Marlene Maheu):

1. Describe research findings on the evidence-based practices of telemental health.
2. Discuss the ethical standards of online counseling.
3. Explain the principal guidelines for conducting telepsychology.