ASWB/ACE: SpeedyCeus.com, provider #1613, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 12/15/24 to 12/15/27.  Social Workers completing this course receive 6 general continuing education credits.

CALIFORNIA: This program meets the requirements for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for 6 hours of CE Credit

TEXAS: This course meets the criteria for acceptable continuing education as defined by the Texas State Boards of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Social Workers for 6 hours of CE Credit.

This program is approved for 6 continuing education credits/contact hours by:

• The California Board of Registered Nursing # CEP 14462
• The National Board for Certified Counselors # 6412
• The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling #50-38918
• The California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators # CP40 725 H 0428
• The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals: CCAPP-IE Provider # 1N-16-256-0726

This course examines the legal and ethical standards that guide clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors. It covers fundamental principles such as confidentiality, informed consent, and the importance of safeguarding client well-being. Key topics include managing dual relationships, respecting cultural diversity through competence and humility, and addressing the unique ethical challenges presented by teletherapy. The paper also discusses the legal obligations of professionals, including adherence to HIPAA regulations. Emphasizing continual ethical reflection, the paper encourages mental health practitioners to uphold dignity, autonomy, and justice in providing responsible and compassionate care.

This course is an online, non-interactive, reading based, self-paced, and asynchronous course.

If you have questions about the course, require accessibility accommodations or need assistance, please email [email protected] or call (909) 628-4216.

• Identify and apply the core legal and ethical responsibilities of mental health professionals across various therapeutic settings.
• Evaluate ethical considerations and confidentiality challenges unique to group therapy and therapy with minors.
• Identify and respond to mandatory reporting laws and their implications for client confidentiality and professional liability.
• Demonstrate an understanding of informed consent and the nuances of obtaining it from clients, including minors and in telehealth contexts.
• Therapeutically manage dual relationships, boundary issues, and conflicts of interest that may arise in therapy, especially in small or rural communities.
• Apply ethical decision-making models to navigate complex scenarios involving cultural competence, client autonomy, and professional accountability.

• Chapter 1: Introduction
  
  • 1.1 Need to know


• Chapter 2: Legal Framework for Mental Health Professionals
  
  • 2.1 Licensing Requirements and State Regulations
  • 2.2 Federal Laws Governing Mental Health Practice
  • 2.3 Key Court Cases and Legal Precedents
  • 2.4 Reporting Obligations and Client Confidentiality
  • 2.5 Client Confidentiality and Informed Consent
  • 2.6 Ethical and Legal Issues in Teletherapy
  • 2.7 Professional Liability and Malpractice


• Chapter 3: Ethical Frameworks for Clinical Social Workers
  
  • 3.1 Overview of NASW Code of Ethics
  • 3.2 Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Social Work
  • 3.3 Ethical Decision-Making Models
  • 3.4 Case Examples of Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Social Work
  • 3.5 The Role of Supervision and Continuing Education in Ethical Practice
  • 3.6 Ethical Challenges in the Use of Technology
  • 3.7 Cultural Competence and Ethical Challenges


• Chapter 4: Ethical Framework for Marriage and Family Therapists
  
  • 4.1 Overview of the AAMFT Code of Ethics
  • 4.2 Ethical Dilemmas in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • 4.3 Ethical Decision-Making Models in Family Therapy
  • 4.4 Cultural Competence in Family Therapy
  • 4.5 Case Examples of Ethical Dilemmas in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • 4.6 The Role of Supervision and Continuing Education


• Chapter 5: Ethical Framework for Mental Health Counselor
  
  • 5.1 Overview of the NBCC Code of Ethics
  • 5.2 Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health Counseling
  • 5.3 Ethical Decision-Making Models in Mental Health Counseling
  • 5.4 Cultural Competence and Ethical Practice in Mental Health Counseling
  • 5.5 Case Examples of Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health Counseling


• Chapter 6: Intersection of Laws and Ethics
  
  • 6.1 Confidentiality: Legal vs. Ethical Considerations
  • 6.2 Informed Consent: Legal vs. Ethical Obligations
  • 6.3 Mandatory Reporting: Legal vs. Ethical Tensions
  • 6.4 Dual Relationships: Legal and Ethical Challenges
  • 6.5 Teletherapy: Legal and Ethical Considerations


• Chapter 7: Professional Boundaries and the Therapeutic Relationship
  
  • 7.1 The Importance of Professional Boundaries in Therapy
  • 7.2 Boundary Crossings vs. Boundary Violations
  • 7.3 Dual Relationships: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas
  • 7.4 Self-Disclosure in Therapy
  • 7.5 Transference and Countertransference: Managing Boundaries
  • 7.6 Best Practices for Maintaining Boundaries in Therapy


• Chapter 8: Ethical Considerations in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling
  
  • 8.1 Principles of Crisis Intervention
  • 8.2 Trauma-Informed Care and Ethical Considerations
  • 8.3 Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue in Mental Health Professionals
  • 8.4 Confidentiality in Crisis and Trauma Counseling
  • 8.5 Involuntary Hospitalization and Ethical Dilemmas
  • 8.6 Best Practices for Ethical Crisis and Trauma Counseling


• Chapter 9: Ethical Considerations in Multicultural Counseling
  
  • 9.1 The Role of Cultural Competence in Ethical Counseling
  • 9.2 Cultural Humility: A Key Ethical Principle in Multicultural Counseling
  • 9.3 Addressing Implicit Bias in Counseling
  • 9.4 Power Dynamics in the Therapeutic Relationship
  • 9.5 Navigating Cultural Conflicts in Counseling
  • 9.6 Working with Marginalized and Oppressed Populations
  • 9.7 Best Practices for Ethical Multicultural Counseling


• Chapter 10: Ethical Considerations in the Use of Technology in Counseling
  
  • 10.1 Teletherapy: Ethical Challenges and Considerations
  • 10.2 Data Security and Ethical Responsibilities
  • 10.3 Informed Consent and Digital Therapy
  • 10.4 Digital Boundaries and Ethical Use of Social Media
  • 10.5 Best Practices for Ethical Use of Technology in Counseling


• Chapter 11: Ethical Considerations in Group Therapy
  
  • 11.1 Confidentiality in Group Therapy
  • 11.2 Informed Consent in Group Therapy
  • 11.3 Managing Group Dynamics and Ethical Challenges
  • 11.4 Dual Relationships and Boundary Issues in Group Therapy
  • 11.5 The Role of the Therapist in Group Leadership
  • 11.6 Best Practices for Ethical Group Therapy


• Chapter 12: Ethical Considerations in Working with Minors
  
  • 12.1 Informed Consent and Assent in Working with Minors
  • 12.2 Confidentiality When Working with Minors
  • 12.3 Mandatory Reporting and Ethical Dilemmas
  • 12.4 The Role of Parents and Guardians in Therapy
  • 12.5 Managing Conflicts of Interest When Working with Minors
  • 12.6 Best Practices for Ethical Work with Minors


• Chapter 13: Conclusion

Course topics are chosen based on various board requirements and professionals needs. Licensed professionals oversee, compile and develop course materials, posttest, and other course materials, determine the level of difficulty, and ensure course content is appropriate. The course developer bio is available here.