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Digital Seminar

Ethics Case Scenarios in Psychotherapy: Risk Management for Real-World, High-Risk Dilemmas


Speaker:
Frederic G. Reamer, PhD
Duration:
3 Hours 17 Minutes
Language:
Presented in EN, subtitles in EN, ES, DE, FR, and IT, handouts in EN, ES, DE, FR, and IT
Copyright:
02 Mar, 2026
Product Code:
POS150282
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

In the real world, ethical dilemmas aren’t always clear-cut.

They’re messy, complex, and let’s face it - the right choice can be hidden behind layers of grey, making mis-steps nearly impossible to see until it’s too late.

But one wrong move can lead to lost trust, legal trouble … and the destruction of your practice.

That’s why you need practical, real-world tools to see the potential problems before they happen, and know exactly how to navigate these tough situations with confidence.

Watch Ethics expert and former chair of the task force that wrote the NASW Code of Ethics, Frederic Reamer, PhD, for an engaging, hands-on session featuring real-life case scenarios focused on today’s highest-risk topics. Drawing on his extensive experience as an ethics consultant and expert witness, Dr. Reamer will guide participants through state-of-the-art ethical decision-making protocols, offering in-depth discussions and highlighting best practices you can apply immediately.

This training packs a practical toolkit of ethical solutions into one training:

  • 3 Hours, Maximum Impact - Get straight to the critical ethics you need to know.
  • Practical Tools for Immediate Use - No fluff, just actionable steps for everyday dilemmas.
  • Ethics Simplified - Learn what matters most to protect your practice and clients.
  • Spot Risk Before It Happens - Identify ethical red flags early and take action.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get hands on experience with real life ethical dilemmas!

Purchase now!

 

Credit


Self-Study Credit

This self-study program consists of 3.5 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary by country and local regulatory bodies. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your local regulatory organization to determine specific eligibility and requirements. 



Handouts

Speaker

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD's Profile

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD Related seminars and products

School of Social Work, Rhode Island College


Frederic G. Reamer, PhD, has been on the faculty of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College, Providence, Rhode Island since 1983. Dr. Reamer received his PhD from the University of Chicago and has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings. He chaired the national task force that wrote the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and served on the task force that added technology standards to the code. Dr. Reamer lectures both nationally and internationally on the subjects of professional ethics, professional malpractice and liability, and documentation. In addition to ethics, his research and teaching have addressed a wide range of human service issues, including mental health, health care, criminal justice, and public welfare. Dr. Reamer has conducted extensive research on professional ethics and has been involved in several national research projects sponsored by The Hastings Center, Carnegie Corporation, Haas Foundation, and Center for Bioethics of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Reamer has been a witness and formal ethics consultant in more than 160 litigation and licensing board cases throughout the United States. He is the author of many books and other publications on ethical standards in behavioral health, risk management, and documentation.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Frederic Reamer receives royalties as a published author. Frederic Reamer receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Frederic Reamer serves as an advisory board member of Ocean State Stories, Pell Center, Salve Regina University and an advisory editor for the Encyclopedia of Social Work Online. He is a member of NASW Code of Ethics Revision Task Force, National Association of Social Workers, and the Association of Paroling Authorities International.


Additional Info

Program Information

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepepesi.com


Objectives

  1. Identify common, high-risk ethical dilemmas in the behavioral health professions.
  2. Develop ethical decision-making protocols based on relevant ethical standards.
  3. Choose risk management strategies designed to protect both clients and the public.
  4. Identify risk management strategies to help prevent lawsuits and licensing board complaints.

Outline

Ethical Issues in the Behavioral Health Professions: Themes and Patterns
  • Ethical mistakes – inadvertent errors
  • Ethical misconduct
  • Ethical dilemmas – difficult choices
The Anatomy of Ethical Dilemmas: Essential Elements
  • Professional duties and obligations
  • Conflicts among professional duties and obligations
  • Navigating complex moral choices in behavioral health
Ethical Dilemmas: Case Scenarios
  • Confidentiality, privacy, and privileged communication
    • The rights of minors
    • Confidentiality exceptions: Threats to self and others
    • Responding to subpoenas and court orders
    • Challenges in unique settings
      • Schools, colleges, and universities
      • Substance use disorder treatment programs
      • Couples and family counselling services
      • Military
  • Boundary issues and dual relationships
    • Practitioner self-disclosure
    • Managing gifts, invitations, and assistance from clients
    • Performing favors for clients
    • Living and working in small and rural communities
    • Relationships with former clients
    • Online searches
    • Digital and online social network communications
  • Informed consent
    • Clients who are minors
    • Sharing records without client consent
  • Documentation
    • When to be vague and when not to be vague
    • Third-party access to records
    • Use of artificial intelligence
  • Laws and ethical standards: Consistency and conflict
    • Compliance with ‘unjust laws”
    • Decisions of conscience
  • Technology Use
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Remote delivery of services and licensure
    • Boundary issues
    • Encryption
  • Moral injury and harm
    • Witnessing unethical conduct/Learning about unethical conduct
    • Whistleblowing
  • Impaired colleagues
    • Managing privacy and confidentiality
    • Duty to disclose
  • Termination of services
    • Clients who need a higher level of care
    • Noncompliant clients
    • Unpaid bills
    • Client abandonment

Ethical Decision Making and Risk Management Application

  • Standards of care
  • Consultation
  • Protecting clients, the public, and practitioners
  • Supervision
  • Code of ethics standards (NASW, ACA, NBCC, AMHCA, AAMFT, APA)
  • Organizational policies and protocols
  • Relevant laws; Statutes, regulations, case law
  • Legal and ethics consultation
  • Professional literature

Target Audience

  • Counsellors
  • Psychotherapists
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Case Managers
  • Therapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

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