Bruce J. Spencer – 6 Critical Areas of Ethical Awareness and Practice

Outline

The Therapist and Client Relationship

• Ethics and Standards Overview
• Objectivity and your clients
• Clinical presence and professional influence
• Rationalizations that can harm the client
• Opinions and values the therapist needs to manage

Confidentiality

• Ethical disclosures and confidentiality limits
• Informed consent and education of client about mandated disclosures
• Your obligation when imminent risk of danger is present for the client or others
• Decisions to inform third parties and documentation

Multiple Relationships

• Interpreting the ethical language regarding relationships
• What constitutes a boundary crossing vs. an ethical violation?
• Is a client necessarily always “off bounds” with regard to future social interaction?
• What exceptions exist and are they legitimate?

Ethical Practice In A Techno World

• Risks of using email, texting, “tweeting” and other electronic messaging
• Risks of social networking with clients
• Internet and Skype counseling risks

Socio-Cultural Competency

• Can a clinician be 100% socially and culturally competent?
• If the clinician does not feel competent with a specific socio-cultural issue, does referring the client to another make a negative statement to the client?
• Does a clinician need to be an “expert” to counsel persons of diversity?

Treatment Plans, Documentation, and Termination

• Over-emphasis on a diagnostic labels vs treating the client
• Establish a true conjoint treatment plan that addresses the client’s needs and abilities
• Attention to appropriate documentation and avoiding “omission or exaggeration” of client issues
• Informing the client of the treatment focus and ultimate goal of successful termination
• Maintaining focus of the treatment on the original goals