Ethics for Mental Health Clinicians: Avoiding Potential Online Pitfalls

The internet has become a primary tool for private practice marketing and business communication. It has allowed clinicians to collaborate with peers and connect with individuals seeking therapy. While other professionals can freely “talk shop” online, therapists must exercise caution to protect privacy and adhere to confidentiality standards. This also means the common online practice of soliciting feedback and publishing client reviews is usually prohibited.

In this two-hour continuing education web conference, Rob Reinhardt, LPCS, MEd, NCC will share many ways private practice clinicians can benefit from using the internet while complying with codes of ethics and federal laws, such as HIPAA. Rob will explain the mnemonic PIT (Permanence, Identity, and Transferability) principle and how it can be used as a strategy for clinicians to consider prior to posting delicate information online.

Rob will discuss the pitfalls of discussing individuals in therapy online and how to avoid them. He will also cover information about posting client reviews and testimonials online while protecting confidentiality. In addition, he will provide an overview of an effective social media policy for clinicians, discussing platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Yelp, and Google Groups. Additional information will be provided about specific products and apps that enhance security by protecting online communication.

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

1. Describe how professional codes of ethics and HIPAA apply to the use of social media. 
2. Utilize the PIT principle and apply it to the accessibility of information on the internet. 
3. Describe the pitfalls of online reviews and testimonials and list ways to avoid them.
4. Summarize best practices for discussing individuals in therapy online to avoid violating privacy or confidentiality. 
5. Prepare a basic social media policy and understand how to personalize it.

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

Event Reviews from Members

Very informative and I will definitely use what I learned in my practice. - Barbara Baselice, MS, LPC

Continuing Education (CE) Information

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

GoodTherapy.org is 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 and legal, ethical, and professional development. 

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 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.

GoodTherapy.org, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031

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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