Law & Ethics 2019: Tough Calls

Presented by Benjamin E. Caldwell, Psy.D.

In this law & ethics update, we will review recent changes to state law, discuss the role of technology in modern practice, and engage in a deep discussion of the morals and values that underlie individual ethical decision-making processes. Difficult decisions without clear or easy answers will be the focus of the day. Through the use of case examples, this workshop will show how our individual morals and values influence therapy work even when we seek to appear neutral; how to identify your own morals and values relevant to your practice; and why owning those values matters.

Educational Goals

• Informing therapists about recent and not-widely-known changes in state law and regulation impacting mental health practice
• Assisting therapists in understanding the role that their own morals and values play in clinical and ethical decision-making
• Encouraging therapists to think critically about that role and its implications for therapy
• Informing therapists about recent developments in court cases and ethical standards related to the personal values of the therapist
• Encouraging therapists toward transparency with clients about the therapist’s values, in accordance with ethical standards and the therapist’s theoretical orientation.

Learning Objectives

• Articulate the impacts of three recent changes in California law impacting mental health practice.

• Differentiate between a personal opinion, a clinical opinion, advice-giving, and imposing personal values
  

• Construct a framework for clinical and ethical decision-making that integrates personal morals and values in a manner that is within professional ethical boundaries and appropriate to their clientele

• Identify three common frameworks for making value-based decisions

• Identify at least two implications from court cases involving mental health students’ moral decision- making.