What are our ethical and legal responsibilities as we begin a clinical relationship?
What are our ethical and legal obligations when ending a relationship?
How can the beginning help to create a better ending?
How might a “professional will” protect clients in the event of unexpected endings?
OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION: Placing Intakes & Terminations Into Ethical Context
I. BEGINNINGS
A. Ethical Requirements About Beginning Relationships
B. Legal Requirements About Clinical Beginnings
C. Clinical Implications Of These Ethical & Legal Requirements
D. Creating Safe Beginnings
Providing Information & Obtaining Client Consent
Avoiding Pitfalls
E. Marking the Transition from Intake to Intervention:
II. ENDINGS
A. Ethical Requirements About Ending Relationships
B. Legal Considerations When Ending Clinical Relationships
C. Clinical Issues With Ethical Implications
Planned “Timely” Endings
Therapist-Guided “Early” Endings
Patient-Initiated “Abrupt & Untimely” Endings
Financially-Driven Premature Terminations
D. Closing a Practice – Retirement, Relocation, Illness, Death
E. Planning Ahead: Preparing a “Professional Will”
III. IMPLEMENTATION: Using Beginnings to Create Safer Endings