Ethics for Counselors
Hours: 2.00
Individuals who seek counseling trust professionals to provide ethical, competent, and effective treatment. However, harm might be done if a professional does not pay close attention to the ethical guidelines of the counseling profession. This course explores the ethical codes that pertain to professional counselors, as well as key areas in which ethical issues arise. You also will learn how to identify ethical dilemmas that may not be specifically addressed in any code that you can address using ethical decision-making processes. Vignettes and case examples will assist you in learning concepts and applying them in your practice.
The goal of this educational program is to provide professional counselors in health and human services settings with information on navigating professional ethical codes and making sound ethical decisions.
Individuals who seek counseling trust professionals to provide ethical, competent, and effective treatment. However, harm might be done if a professional does not pay close attention to the ethical guidelines of the counseling profession. This course explores the ethical codes that pertain to professional counselors, as well as key areas in which ethical issues arise. You also will learn how to identify ethical dilemmas that may not be specifically addressed in any code that you can address using ethical decision-making processes. Vignettes and case examples will assist you in learning concepts and applying them in your practice. The goal of this educational program is to provide professional counselors in health and human services settings with information on navigating professional ethical codes and making sound ethical decisions.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Illinois Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502 (CEBroker Provider: 50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
Identify which sources of ethical guidance you must follow to ensure ethical practice.
List two ethical decision-making processes to help solve an ethical dilemma.
Explain at least two clinician responsibilities for the counseling relationship.
Describe the relationship between self-awareness and ethical practice.
Identify at least five ethical considerations related to confidentiality and privacy.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: An Ethics Primer for Counselors
What Is a Code of Ethics?
Which Code of Ethics Should You Follow?
NBCC Code of Ethics
ACA Code of Ethics
Scope of Ethical Consideration
Other Sources of Ethical Guidance
Critical Areas for Ethical Consideration
Review
Summary
Section 3: Ethics and the Counseling Relationship
Informed Consent in the Counseling Relationship
Professional Boundaries and Technology
Cultural Competence
When Values Clash
Meet Hannah
Common Ethical Mistakes
Dual Relationships
Practice Examples
Role Changes in the Professional Relationship
Role Definition with Multiple Clients or Group Work
Nonpayment of Fees
Termination and Referral Issues
Abandonment
Review
Summary
Section 4: Confidentiality and Privacy Issues
Confidentiality
Limitations and Exceptions to Confidentiality
Meet Naomi
Confidentiality and Minors
Confidentiality with Couples and Families
The Client Record and Release of Information
Safeguarding and Retaining Client Records
Client Access to Records
Technology and Confidentiality
Social Media and Privacy
What Do You Think?
Confidentiality and Data Breaches
Review
Summary
Section 5: Professional Responsibilities
The Ethics of Self-Care
Self-Awareness and Professional Competence
Self-Awareness of Impairment
Addressing Ethical Concerns with Colleagues
Representing Professional Qualifications
Use of Effective and Proven Treatment Approaches
Identifying Ethical Issues
The Ethical Dilemma
Common Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Decision-Making Models
The ETHICS Model
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Professional Writing from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and has particular interest in resilience and secondary traumatic stress among behavioral health providers. The majority of Stephanie’s work has included behavioral health counseling and medical case management. Stephanie served as part of the National Health Service Corps from 2016-2018, providing outpatient counseling to underserved populations including military service members and their families. Stephanie has designed and delivered training on many topics such as LGBTQIA+ sensitivity, youth suicide prevention, and how to provide in-community services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disclosure: Stephanie L. Furness-Kraft, LCSW, CCTP has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.Expert Reviewer: Jill Christenson, LPC
Jill received her master's degree in counseling psychology from Argosy University in 2010 and has over 10 years of experience providing individual and couple's counseling in both community mental health and private practice settings; she also has two years of experience providing crisis mental health evaluations. Prior to licensure experience includes many years working with youth involved with the criminal justice and foster care systems, and with adolescents and young adults in chemical dependency treatment, which provided a solid foundation in the practice of ethical boundaries and confidentiality. Disclosure: Jill Christenson, LPC has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.
The target audience for this course is: Advanced, Entry, Intermediate level Professional Counselors; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
