Description:
Expanding your clinical practice with employees can provide a range of opportunities and potential pit falls. In this workshop we will examine the legal, ethical, and practical standards regarding employment in health care. Among the topics we will discuss are, types of employment, the hiring process, employment contracts versus handbooks, wage and benefit requirements, employee termination, and Washington’s non-compete laws. This course is intended to meet ethics continuing education requirements.
Through this two-part 6 hour workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discover the guidance provided by state law, federal law, and a range of applicable ethical codes. In addition to the provided case studies and scenarios, participants are encouraged to share their own experiences, questions and thoughts.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
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After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
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Describe the key legal, ethical, and liability differences between employees and independent contractors;
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Understand and describe difference between At-Will and For Cause employment;
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Identify and describe Washington legal standards regarding termination of employment and non-compete agreements;
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Create strategies for legal and ethical hiring processes.
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Describe and apply Washington state sick leave and family care leave rules.
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.
Registration closes: October 5, 2025
This course is approved fo 6 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.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA 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.
