Ethics and Boundary Issues: Ethical Decision Making

The course discusses the principles underlying all codes of ethical conduct in the behavioral health professions. Distinctions are made between terms as they pertain to ethics. Several models for making decisions in ethical dilemmas are presented and discussed.

This course is applicable to mental health professionals in the area of ethical decision making. Approved for Florida LCSW, LMFT and LMHC.

Note: The content may meet requirements in other states as well please check our approvals page and your state board. Resources provided are for all fifty states.

Developed by: Karen Albig Smith, LMFT, LCAS, MAC, CAP, SAP, SAE

Revised 2024

Description: This study acquaints practitioners with decision-making steps for evaluating ethical dilemmas. The course discusses the principles underlying the codes of ethical conduct in the behavioral health professions. Distinctions are made between terms as they pertain to ethics. Several models for making decisions in ethical dilemmas are presented and discussed.

Objectives:

1. Learners will be able to utilize five decision-making models for evaluating ethical dilemmas.

2. Learners will be able to discuss ten barriers to ethical decision making.

3. Learners will be able to describe common unethical actions among mental health professionals.

Learning Assessment:

1. Participants will be able to define ethics.

2. Participants will be able to identify five sources of ethical standards.

3. Participants will be able to identify four areas of common unethical behavior.

4. Participants will be able to discuss ten barriers to ethical decision making.

5. Participants will be able to describe and utilize five decision-making models for resolving ethical dilemmas.

6. Participants will be able to list nine common excuses for unethical behavior.

CE Credits: 3

Agenda:

Hour One: Definitions and principles informing counseling ethics, Five sources of ethical standards. Four areas of common unethical behavior.

Hour Two: Ten barriers to ethical decision making, Decision-making models.

Hour Three: Decision-making models. Excuses for unethical behavior.

CE Broker#: 20-10707

Methods: Pre-test, study guide, posttest and evaluation, internet sources via URLs, Q&A by email.

Content Area: Ethics, Confidentiality, Legal and regulatory, Professional orientation/readiness, Risk management.

Purpose: To prepare practitioners to be able to utilize various decision-making models for the exploration and resolution of ethical dilemmas.

Target Audience: Social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, mental health counselors, nurses, employee assistance professionals, addiction professionals, behavioral health technicians, and other allied professionals.

Online Course

CE Broker#:: 20-10707
CE Credits:: 3
Price:: $30.00

Online Course

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