Description
This workshop will explore the importance of understanding and exploring the ethics of professional boundaries. We will examine why ethics and boundaries are important when doing both direct and indirect client work. An emphasis will be placed on exploring dual relationships (professional and personal relationships) and various boundary issues to enhance and improve ethical responsibilities and reduce ethical violations. There will be a review of the NASW Code of Ethics, the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ requirements, and COMAR regulations to highlight the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries. A sample of issues discussed will be maintaining and upholding professional relationships, social media, giving and receiving gifts, and so much more. This is an interactive workshop where case vignettes will be presented and discussed to further maximize participants’ understanding of the presented concepts.
This workshop meets the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ requirements for Ethics CEs.
Instructor
Cruz and Associates
Ms. Cruz is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical and forensic social worker with over twenty years of experience working in the mental health and legal arena. She is a qualified expert witness in clinical and forensic social work in numerous jurisdictions and courts in Maryland and at the federal level. She concentrates on cases involving illegal or harsh sentences, post-conviction relief, modifications of sentences, and juveniles charged as adults. Ms. Cruz is the founder and CEO of Cruz & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in preparing comprehensive forensic psychosocial reports for criminal and civil matters, continuing education, and psychotherapy. When not working on cases, she is an avid continuing education presenter who specializes in trauma and ethics.
Ms. Cruz is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a BA in psychology. She received her Master of Social Work, specializing in mental health and addiction, from University of Maryland School of School Work. In 2014, she completed an advanced two-year, post-graduate Forensic Social Work Certification through the University of Maryland Continuing Education Department. In 2008, she co-created the Forensic Social Work Committee for NASW-MD, and in 2010 she became the sole chair, a position she maintained until 2016, when she resigned due to other professional obligations. She continues to advocate for legislative changes. She maintains various professional memberships and affiliations and has been a professor at University of Maryland School of Social Work (Shady Grove and Baltimore campus) and has taught at Catholic University of America Social Work Graduate School.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
12:50 – 01: Log on
1:00 – 1:45
1:45 – 2:30
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:15
4:15 Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Increase knowledge of various direct and indirect service situations and the importance of balancing ethical responsibilities to promote professional boundaries.
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Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to dual relationships and boundary violations/crossing.
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Effectively understand and explore the overall importance of boundaries and how to effectively set them when working with clients.
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Explore the potential harm to participants/clients when boundaries are not upheld.
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Highlight how to recognize and promptly address boundary issues.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Amis, K. (2017). Boundaries, power and ethical responsibility in counselling and psychotherapy. SAGE Publications.
Barsky, Allan. Ethics Alive! Boundaries in a Small Community- Where Everybody Knows Your Name*, 2018, The New Social Worker Magazine
Blundell, Oakley, et. al. (2022) Who are we protecting? Exploring counsellors; understanding and experience of boundaries. European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 12, 13-28.
Bryan, V., Sanders, S., & Kaplan, L. (2022). The helping professional’s guide to ethics: Theory in practice (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Code of Ethics Board of Social Work Examiner (2019). Retrieved from https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Regs/10.42.03CodeofEthics.pdf
Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (2017). Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D., & Loewenberg, F. M. (2012). Brooks/Cole empowerment series: Ethical decisions for social work practice. Cengage Learning.
Imboden, Rachel (2020). Exploring the Relationship Between Ethics Stress and Burnout, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 17, No. 1
Juujarvi, Soile, et. al. (2020) Ethical Decision-Making of Social Welfare Workers in the Transition of Services: The Ethics of Care and Justice Perspectives. Ethics of Social Welfare, Vol. 14, No. 1, 65-83
Reamer, F. (2022) Managing Ethics Challenges in Social Work Organizations: A Comprehensive Strategy, Free State Social Work, Vol. 22 No. 1 (Spring 2022)
Reamer, F. (2018.) Ethical Standards for Social Workers’ Use of Technology: Emerging Consensus,Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 15, Number 2
Sills, Paul. (2020) Cognitive biases in ethical decision-making. The Journal of Family Office Investment, FS Private Wealth
Topor, A., & Matscheck, D. (2021). Diversity, Complexity and Ordinality: Mental Health Services Outside the Institutions—Service Users’ and Professionals’ Experience-Based Practices and Knowledges, and New Public Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On 6/12/25, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop.
For more information, please read the general policies on our website.
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.
Evaluation
Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.
After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.
