Washington Law & Ethics of Abandonment, Termination, and Referrals-with Eric Strom, JD, PhD, LMHC

Description:

Termination of the clinical relationship can be difficult – particularly when termination is initiated by the clinician.  While most clinicians are familiar with the concept of legal liability for client abandonment, there is often confusion about the precise distinction between termination, referral, and abandonment. In this 3 hour workshop we will examine the legal and ethical implications of termination and referral of clinical services.  Specific focus will be on understanding the concept of legal abandonment in healthcare.  Participants will gain increased ability to best support their clients while also minimizing risk and limiting exposure to liability. This course is intended to meet ethics CE requirements.

Objectives:

• Identify legal standards regarding liability for client abandonment in healthcare settings;
• Distinguish client abandonment from termination of clinical services;
• Describe the ethical standards regarding client termination and referral.

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.