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.
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.
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.
The 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.