Ethics for Mental Health Clinicians: Avoiding Potential Online Pitfalls

Presented by Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC on 10-06-2017 at 9 a.m. Pacific (noon Eastern) to 11 a.m. Pacific (2 p.m. Eastern)

The internet has become a primary tool for private practice marketing and business communication. It has allowed clinicians to collaborate with peers and connect with individuals seeking therapy. While other professionals can freely “talk shop” online, therapists must exercise caution to protect privacy and adhere to confidentiality standards. This also means the common online practice of soliciting feedback and publishing client reviews is usually prohibited.

In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC will share many ways private practice clinicians can benefit from using the internet while complying with codes of ethics and federal laws, such as HIPAA. Rob will explain the mnemonic PIT (Permanence, Identity, and Transferability) principle and how it can be used as a strategy for clinicians to consider prior to posting delicate information online.

Rob will discuss the pitfalls of discussing individuals in therapy online and how to avoid them. He will also cover information about posting client reviews and testimonials online while protecting confidentiality. In addition, he will provide an overview of an effective social media policy for clinicians, discussing platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Google Groups. Additional information will be provided about specific products and apps that enhance security by protecting online communication.

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

  1. Describe how professional codes of ethics and HIPAA apply to the use of social media. 
  2. Utilize the PIT principle and apply it to the accessibility of information on the internet. 
  3. Recognize the pitfalls of online reviews and testimonials and list ways to avoid them.
  4. Summarize best practices for discussing individuals in therapy online to avoid violating privacy or confidentiality. 
  5. Prepare a basic social media policy and understand how to personalize it.

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

Event Reviews from Members

Very informative and I will definitely use what I learned in my practice. - Barbara Baselice, MS, LPC

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 counseling services and 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 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

Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC

Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC

Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC has his own successful counseling practice and years of experience running and working in a variety of successful businesses. Prior to becoming a licensed professional counselor, Rob worked in information technology for over ten years, including a position as Director of Information Technology. With a comprehensive mix of technology, clinical, and business experience he can address all facets of a private practice. 

Rob is an LPCS and column editor for Counseling Today, the professional magazine published by the American Counseling Association. Rob is also the creator of Describe, a deck of therapy cards that can be used with individuals, families, and groups of all ages.

For more information about Rob, please visit:

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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