Center for Ethical Practice

Continuing Education & Ethical Resources For Mental Health Professionals

Continuing Education & Resources
for Mental Health Professionals

  • HOME
  • Continuing Education (CE)—
  • WORKSHOPS
    • Upcoming Workshops
    • Registration
    • CE Requirements
    • Workshops Archive
    • Workshop Policies
  • CUSTOMIZED WORKSHOPS
  • ONLINE COURSES
  • HOME STUDY
  • Additional Services—
  • Consultation
  • Publications
    • Articles
    • Models
    • Manuals
    • Books
  • Resources / Library
  • CONTACT US

Chance Encounters of the Awkward Kind

August 11, 2010 by

What are the ethical implications of how we handle encounters with clients or their families outside the clinical setting? How do we decide where to draw the line in such encounters? Are there any ways to minimize their occurrence, or to prevent unnecessary clinical complications? How can we prevent them from becoming problematic dual relationships?

OUTLINE

I. “Chance Encounter”

A. a “coming upon” unexpectedly

B. an “accidental intersecting”

C. an unplanned, unanticipated crossing of paths

II. Important Distinctions

A. Does This ” Encounter” Create a “Dual Relationship” ?

B. Was it Avoidable or Unavoidable?

C. Was This Really “Chance” ? If Not, Who Created It? Why?

D. Continuum: Slightly awkward ? Downright Paralyzing

III. What Does My Ethics Code Say About This?

IV. Does This Have Legal Implications?

V. How Can Forethought Help?

A. Expect it

B. Prepare yourself

C. Prepare your clients

D. Avoid over-disclosure or unnecessary shifts in boundaries

E. De-brief (e.g., with colleague, consultant, or supervisor)

F. Process the encounter with the client in the next session

VI. Clinical Vignettes


Educational Goals:
(a) Give examples of “chance encounters” with clients that might create ethical dilemmas.
(b) Indicate which of these might be “avoidable” and which are “unavoidable.”
(c) Describe how they might create unnecessary ethical, clinical, or legal complications.
(d) Describe how each of these might be handled well in ways that avoid unnecessary complications.

Filed Under: Workshop Archives

Print This Page Print This Page

View CART

Upcoming CE Workshops

  • Knowing What We Don't Know: Meeting Our Ethical Obligation to Develop and Maintain Competence
    • Thursday, August 25, 2022
    • 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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Center for Ethical Practice maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/21/2021-3/21/2024.

Quick Links

  • ETHICAL & LEGAL RESOURCES
  • WORKSHOP ARCHIVES
  • REGISTRATION INFORMATION
  • WORKSHOP POLICIES
  • ONLINE COURSES
  • CE REQUIREMENTS
  • CONTACT US

Sign Up for Our Mailing List

Subscribe

PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright Center for Ethical Practice, 977 Seminole Trail, #312, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Tel: 434-971-1841 • E-Mail: Office@CenterForEthicalPractice.org