Description
Working with child clients can be extremely rewarding, but also challenging in ways not experienced when working exclusively with adults. This training explores the ethical obligations of mental health professionals, specifically through the special considerations that need to be made when serving children and adolescents. Special attention will be paid to concerns related to boundaries and confidentiality. The impact of technology and social media on these complications will be highlighted.
Instructor
Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W., Principal Consultant with Krase Consultant, is an expert on the professional reporting of suspected child maltreatment. She has authored multiple books and articles on the subject. She has years of experience consulting with government and community-based organizations to develop policy & practice standards.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
Introductions (5 minutes)
Revisiting Ethics in Professional Practice (15 minutes)
Professional education introduces future practitioners to relevant Codes of Ethics. This portion of the program will revisit what professionals should already know about ethics, so that we are all on the same page as we explore further. What do we mean by “ethical”? How is “ethical” related to “legal”?
Protecting Yourself from Ethical & Legal Liability (15 minutes)
This section will outline the framework that professionals can use to prevent ethical conundrums, and protect themselves from legal liability when things get complicated.
Similarities and Differences between Child and Adult Clients (25 minutes)
We will start with solidifying our understandings of the standards of ethical practice for adults, and contrast those with that of child clients. Attention will be paid to developmental stages and expectations.
Exploring the Challenges of Client Confidentiality when Working with Child Clients (45 minutes)
Child clients are not likely to have the same expectations for client confidentiality as adult clients. We will explore why there are differences, and how to confirm the differences as they relate to practice in individual states. We will apply a framework for informing clients of the appropriate expectations for confidentiality given their particular circumstances.
15-minute BREAK
Appropriate Professional Boundaries with Child Clients and their Caretakers (45 minutes)
In this section we will explore conflicts of interests that are common with child clients and their caretakers, including multiple relationships and oversharing of personal information. Special attention will be paid to concerns related to electronic communications, social media and other forms of technology.
Applying Ethical and Legal Principals through Case Examples (20 minutes)
We will explore case examples curated to highlight what has been covered in this training.
Conclusions/Questions (10 minutes)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Identify and define ethical values.
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Understand the most widely used theories underlying ethical discourse in social work and related helping professions.
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Apply these concepts to sound social work practice that addresses clients’ psychosocial and financial needs.
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Address ethical dilemmas through one model to be presented.
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Discuss ethical codes of conduct for social workers, particularly when vulnerable groups of people are impacted.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-code-of- ethics-finaladdress.pdf
Boddy, J., & Dominelli, L. (2017). Social media and social work: The challenges of a new ethical space. Australian Social Work, 70(2), 172-184.
Disla de Jesus V, Liem A, Borra D, Appel JM. Who's the Boss? Ethical Dilemmas in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents. Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2022 Apr;20(2):215- 219. doi: 10.1176/appi.focus.20210037. Epub 2022 Apr 22. PMID: 37153131; PMCID: PMC10153495.
Nordesjö, K., Scaramuzzino, G., & Ulmestig, R. (2022). The social worker-client relationship in the digital era: a configurative literature review. European Journal of Social Work, 25(2), 303-315.
Pozgar, G. D. (2005). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Reamer, F. G. (2020). Boundary issues and dual relationships in the human services. In Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services. Columbia University Press.
Tunick, M. (2023). State authority, parental authority, and the rights of mature minors. The Journal of Ethics, 27(1), 7-29.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70 and includes CE credit. A non-refundable late fee of $20 is added on May 9, 2024.
Cancellations** must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
**ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.**
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
