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Avoiding Slippery Slopes

June 5, 2012 by

 

This is an ethics workshop, not a risk-management workshop:
in other words, the focus is on the risks to patients, not to ourselves.
We know that sometimes making exceptions to our usual ethical and clinical practices
can start us on a path  from which it can be very hard to recover,
and which can ultimately affect clinical outcome and patient welfare.
How can we recognize when we are about to take a step we will later regret?
Where are we each most vulnerable?
What support and reminders would be most helpful?

I. Establishing Clear Policies

A. Administrative, Scheduling, & Financial Policies

B. Clinical Policies (e.g., Session Frequency, Time, & Timing)

C. Boundaries

Within the Session (Physical Boundaries; Therapist Self-Disclosure, etc.)

Outside the Session (In Person or Electronically)

D. Confidentiality & Disclosure

E. Informed Consent

II. Living Up to Our Informed Consent Promises

III. Avoiding the Predictable Pitfalls

A. Resisting Temptations to Breach Confidentiality Unethically

Voluntary Disclosures

“Involuntary” Disclosures

B. Avoiding the Creation of “Avoidable” Conflicts of Interest

C. Resisting Pulls Toward Problematic Dual Relationships

D. Remaining Alert to Avoid Real or Perceived Boundary Violations

 IV. Monitoring Our Current State

A. Personal Stressors Leading to Therapist Over-Disclosure

B. Unmet Need for Support

C. Inadequate Self-Care Leading to Tired/Sleepy/Burned-Out

D. Unmet Need for Therapy

V. Acknowledging Our Clinical Limitations

VI. Acknowledging Our Personal Vulnerabilities

VII.  Understanding the Consequences for Patients

Workshop History:
Friday, March 9, 2012 - Fairfax VA
Monday, June 4, 2012 - Charlottesville VA
Monday, June 18, 2012 - Richmond VA
Saturday, April 20, 2013 - Falls Church VA
Saturday, June 28, 2014 - Williamsburg VA

Filed Under: Workshop Archives

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Upcoming CE Workshops

  • Should I Write it Down?: Ethical and Legal Ramifications of Documentation Decisions
    • Wednesday, April 5, 2023
    • Fairfax Virginia
  • Should I Write it Down?: Ethical and Legal Ramifications of Documentation Decisions
    • Wednesday, April 26, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop
  • Boundaries and Dual Relationships: Where Can We Go Astray, and Why?
    • Monday, May 15, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop
  • What Sort of Problem Is This: Ethical, Legal, Clinical, or Risk Management?
    • Thursday, June 8, 2023
    • Zoom Interactive Workshop

CE Courses Are Approved By:

continuing education for American Psychological Association The Center for Ethical Practice is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


continuing education for National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) The Center for Ethical Practice has been approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 6768). The Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.


continuing education Association of Social Work BoardsThe Center for Ethical Practice (provider 1287), 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: 3/21/2021-3/21/2024.

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Tel: 434-971-1841 • E-Mail: Office@CenterForEthicalPractice.org