Money Matters! (3 hour workshop)

Ethical & Professional Implications of
Financial Decisions in Mental Health Practice

This workshop is about an area of practice neglected in graduate training programs and still treated in some circles as a “taboo” topic for therapists and other mental health professionals.  It is appropriate for any mental health professional who is in (or is planning to be in) independent practice, whether individual or group. It also raises ethical issues relevant to those who work in settings where others are making the business decisions about money.

Introduction:
Ethical & Professional Implications of Financial Decisions in Mental Health Practice

  I.  Ethical Standards Affecting Financial Decisions

II. Legal Regulations & Third Party Contracts Affecting Financial Decisions

III. Personal Money Issues That Can Cloud Business Decisions

IV. Weighing the Ethical & Legal Implications of Your Own Financial Policies

V. Developing Ethical Policies vs. “Following the Crowd”

Setting Fees
Billing Patients
Billing Third Parties
Collecting Unpaid Fees

 VI. “Speaking of Money…..” – Explaining Your Policies to Clients (Informed Consent)

EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
1. Describe the Ethical Standards and professional guidelines related to financial decisions
2. Describe some of the legal regulations that affect financial decisions in clinical practice
3. Weigh  your own policies against these Ethical/professional Standards and legal regulations.