Ethics

A. Steven Frankel, PhD, JD, ABPP

The extent of the legal statutes that pertain to mental health practitioners can be overwhelming. In this Ethics Course Dr. Frankel makes the topic approachable by taking a Risk Management approach and teaching participants where to focus their efforts to reduce their exposure to criminal and civil lawsuits. As both a lawyer and psychologist, he provides a multi-dimensional presentation that is informed, practical, and digestible. This Ethics Course is particularly relevant for those practicing in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington because specific statutes are referenced. However, resources for practitioners from other states are provided to facilitate the finding of state-specific details of the laws that are presented. This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe how ""apology statutes"" can be helpful to clinicians.
2. Discuss the important principles applicable to therapeutic self-disclosure.
3. List the steps recommended for terminating difficult clients.
4. Describe the major elements of an ""abuse of transference"" lawsuit.

Clifton Mitchell, PhD

This Ethics Course and training is a must for every therapist and counselors practice. Dr Mitchell begins this training with a basic “ Introduction to Ethics 101.” He then goes in depth into some of the more controversial laws and codes that could be perceived two ways. He talks about how to navigate between your Board(s), Lawyer and Clients. The most insightful are the real case discussions revolving pertinent issues that every therapist and counselor must know. The laws and ethics concerning: email, sex offenders, insurance issues and fraud, date rape, child abuse, statutory rape and “duty to warn” (the Big 4.) This is an intermediate course intended for practicing clinicians.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe current legal and ethical mandates.
2. Discuss the mental health professional’s legal and ethical duties regarding a wide array of situations.