Law and Ethics of Relationships in the Clinical Setting

Description:

One of the most common sources of professional misconduct for behavioral health clinicians is personal relationships with clients. In this 3 hour workshop we will examine the legal and ethical standards of a range of permitted and prohibited secondary relationships with clients.  Both in-person and virtual relationships will be discussed.  Through group discussion and application of real-world scenarios, participants will gain increased ability to implement strategies to minimize potential harm to clients to limit exposure to liability. This course is intended to meet ethics CE requirements.

Objectives:

• Identify legal guidelines regarding prohibited secondary relationships with clients;
• Identify ethical standards regarding permitted and prohibited secondary relationships with clients;
• Evaluate the potential clinical impact of a range of client/clinician relationships;
• Apply legal and ethical standards to effective clinical work that supports client best interest.

About the Presenter:

Eric Ström is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions.  Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association.  Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.

Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.

WMHCA Cancellation Policy: To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting sara@wmhca.org at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.  

This course is approved for 3 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all  associate-level licensees in Washington State.

Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

3 NBCC clock hours will be awarded at the conclusion of the course.