Ethical Considerations: Managing Risks of Inadvertent Negative Consequences in the Practice of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, like any treatment, involves some risks. Eliminating risk altogether is impossible, of course, but we can limit the risk of any inadvertent adverse consequences. The issues to be covered in this conference are pertinent to all psychotherapists, regardless of their orientation or model of psychotherapy practice, and will be immediately useful and relevant to participants after taking this webinar.

The basics of clinical risk management will be introduced for beginning practitioners and provided as a refresher for advanced practitioners, and we will discuss a variety of straightforward safeguards that all practitioners should employ. The material covered in this webinar is based on the instructor's 30 years of clinical experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and consultant as well as a review of the relevant published literature.

Given that effective psychotherapy involves an empathetic involvement with the client, all psychotherapists must pay careful attention to how that relationship is managed. This conference will help participants better manage their relationships with their clients through "conscious use of self" and knowledge of traps to avoid in the course of conducting psychotherapy.

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

1. Analyze at least four inadvertent negative consequences that can occur during the course of psychotherapy.
2. Demonstrate at least two ways to avoid the emergence of each of the four negative consequences listed.
3. Categorize at least three psychotherapy techniques or interventions that have a higher probability of leading to inadvertent negative outcomes.
4. Describe a least three variables for each of these three psychotherapy interventions to consider before employing the intervention;
5. Explain the meaning of "conscious use of self".
6. Discuss at least two examples of "conscious use of self" in one's psychotherapy practice.

If you have any questions about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

It was all very helpful. Probably the most helpful for me was simply talking about the risks in this way. Dr. Elmer simply sharing his information was a way to reduce my vulnerability and exposure to risk and normalize this necessary active awareness that I need to have as a therapist. - Lucrezia Mangione, MA, NCC, LCPC, CMT, CHTP/I

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. GoodTherapy.org solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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