Ethics in Therapy: When Therapists Care Too Much

Now that technology has integrated itself into every aspect of daily life, clinicians must be vigilant in order to stay ethically sound. As social media platforms provide more ways to connect, communicate, and share, we confront contemporary dilemmas and ethical questions such as:

• What is considered too much communication between counseling sessions?
• Can we send clients a quick text to just “check in”? 
• Can clients follow us on Twitter? 
• What about using email to communicate outside of sessions? 
• When are we crossing a boundary from therapist to friend? 

As lines blur and connectivity becomes easier, we need to thoughtfully consider questions such as these and understand how our answers will impact individuals in therapy. 

It is important for clinicians to have an open dialogue in the first session to discuss limits and expectations in the therapeutic relationship. It is easy to assume that individuals seeking therapy understand the counseling process but many have no idea what therapy is supposed to look like, what their rights are, or that there is a standard of care in place to protect them. Boundaries are the clinician’s responsibility and vital to the success of therapy, but what should a clinician do when they are tested?

In this two hour continuing education web conference, Kati Morton, LMFT will discuss a wide range of ethical issues that impact mental health professionals every day. With almost 150,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel and a fan base that readily share their counseling and mental health stories, Kati has been able to develop unique insights that are unavailable to many private practice clinicians. From transference and countertransference to abandonment and termination, Kati’s dynamic presenting style will take the therapy ethics topics out of the textbook and into the real world dilemmas that face the 21st century clinician.

Kati will share her experiences and strategies for balancing social media with private practice while paying attention to constant changes in technology. Attendees will learn strategies to stay aware of ethical ramifications without feeling overwhelmed. Kati will address the ever-changing social media privacy policies and help clinicians understand how to balance their personal privacy with their need for professional development. She will use case vignettes and scenarios to illustrate these ethical challenges and offer helpful steps toward balanced solutions. 

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

1. Discuss boundary issues associated with social media and communication between counseling sessions. 
2. Describe the importance of explaining what individuals in therapy can expect from their clinician and how it impacts the therapeutic relationship and treatment planning process. 
3. Demonstrate an understanding of why clinicians need to attend to their own mental health needs in order to be effective mental health professionals. 
4. Explain the negative therapeutic consequences when clinicians become complacent.
5. List strategies to prepare for ethical dilemmas associated with termination, abandonment, and unforeseen absences by clinicians.

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

Event Reviews from Members

 ​This program was very informative, and a great review of boundaries. - Rebecca Mathews, MA, LPC

The presentation was well-conceived and well-paced. I found the presenter to have a refreshing attitude. - Lizbeth Binks, PhD

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits 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 clinical intake and screening, 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 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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