Complex Ethics Cases in Therapy: Risk Management Implications and Interventions

Presented by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD on 04-28-2017 at 9 a.m. Pacific (noon Eastern) to 11 a.m. Pacific (2 p.m. Eastern)

As our world becomes more complicated so do ethical dilemmas, especially in the field of mental health. Risk management, professional conflicts, and boundary issues now involve digital data and online communication. As a result, clinicians want to move beyond introductory ethics concepts and explore difficult cases that involve contemporary scenarios and their outcomes.

In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Dr. Frederic Reamer will provide attendees with an in-depth examination of compelling ethics cases in therapy involving conflicting professional duties, risk management, and interventions. Attendees will learn practical steps clinicians can take to manage ethical issues skillfully while being aware of relevant ethical standards, including statutes, regulations, and case law.

Attendees will also learn strategies designed to protect individuals in therapy as well as practitioners. Key topics will include boundary issues, dual relationships, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, privileged communication, informed consent, clients’ rights, documentation, use of technology in clinical work, termination of services, and impaired professionals. In addition, Dr. Reamer will discuss ethics cases relating to supervision and consultation.

This intermediate instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

  1. Identify key ethics risk areas and their interventions.
  2. Apply risk management strategies for electronic communication and web-based therapy.
  3. Describe termination guidelines that serve to protect clients and minimize risk.
  4. Create a social media policy that protects the clinician and individuals in therapy.
  5. Explain the ethical challenges of web-based therapy, including self-guided interventions.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

Best ethics course I've taken. - Carole Stokes-Brewer, PhD, LISW-S

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy.org is an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within legal, ethical, and professional development. 

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 ethics continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium or Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no cost. Not yet a Premium or Pro Member? Mental health professionals can attend this live web conference for $29.95 or access the homestudy recording for $14.95.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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Meet the Presenter

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD is Professor in the graduate program of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College, where he has been on the faculty since 1983. His research and teaching have addressed a wide range of human service issues, including mental health, health care, criminal justice, public welfare, and professional ethics. Dr. Reamer received his PhD from the University of Chicago and has served as a social worker and administrator in correctional and mental health settings.

Dr. Reamer has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of social work and received the Excellence in Ethics Award from the National Association of Social Workers in 2015. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Tulane University, Simmons College, and Smith College. Dr. Reamer also chaired the national task force that wrote the current Code of Ethics adopted by the National Association of Social Workers. 

Dr. Reamer has conducted extensive research on professional ethics and has been an essayist, host, commentator, and producer on several NPR and PBS programs. He has published 20 books and more than 125 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Reamer’s most recent books include: 

* This page contains at least one affiliate link for the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which means GoodTherapy.org receives financial compensation if you make a purchase using an Amazon link.

Continuing Education Provider Approvals

  • aceGoodTherapy.org is Approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • Logo GoodTherapy.org has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6380. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GoodTherapy.org is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
  • Logo This course has been approved by GoodTherapy.org, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #135463. GoodTherapy.org is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
  • aceGoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 03/30/2016 - 03/30/2019.
  • GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395.
  • GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

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