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Ethical Considerations of Dual Relationships

The client and therapist relationship - how do clinicians navigate the possibility of a dual relationship? What ethical principles and standards should be considered? These are both important questions that will be addressed in this workshop on the ethical considerations of dual relationships. While some therapists may not encounter the possibility of a dual relationship, others will. Knowing how to manage these situations is key to ethical practice. 

We will examine the qualities of a dual relationship and provide case examples of common dilemmas in this area. Learners will increase their ethical framework for exercising appropriate professional boundaries with clients and their relationships. Categories of dual relationships will be presented and discussion will center on using critical thinking skills to identify best practices. Special consideration will be given to diversity in dual relationships, such as rural settings and racial and ethnic influences to dual relationships. Learners will have increased clinical judgment in identifying appropriate professional relationships with clients.

 https://nefesh.org/workshops/EthicalConofDualRel222/view

Ethical Considerations of Dual Relationships


Wednesday, February 26th, 2025   1:45 PM EST -4:45 PM EST
$59.99 Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

The client and therapist relationship - how do clinicians navigate the possibility of a dual relationship? What ethical principles and standards should be considered? These are both important questions that will be addressed in this workshop on the ethical considerations of dual relationships. While some therapists may not encounter the possibility of a dual relationship, others will. Knowing how to manage these situations is key to ethical practice. 

We will examine the qualities of a dual relationship and provide case examples of common dilemmas in this area. Learners will increase their ethical framework for exercising appropriate professional boundaries with clients and their relationships. Categories of dual relationships will be presented and discussion will center on using critical thinking skills to identify best practices. Special consideration will be given to diversity in dual relationships, such as rural settings and racial and ethnic influences to dual relationships. Learners will have increased clinical judgment in identifying appropriate professional relationships with clients.

About the Presenter

Diane Bigler has over 25 years of experience in the mental health field as a clinician, Professor, and educator. Her clinical background includes outpatient and in-home therapy and early intervention. Diane has expertise in content development, continuing education training, and corporate wellness and leadership coaching. Diane is passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders.

This workshop Offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify qualities of dual relationships and at least three key considerations.
  2. Select and employ at least five strategies to have ethical boundaries and relationships with clients.
  3. Demonstrate and build confidence in assessing their professional role in ethical dilemmas involving dual relationships.

Agenda:

Defining Dual Relationships (30 mins)

  • What are they?
  • How do they happen?
  • What does the research say?/what do clinicians say?
  • Boundary crossing vs boundary violation
  • Case examples to consider
  • Group boundaries exercise

Moral and Ethical Guidelines (30 mins)

  • Autonomy and nonmaleficence
  • What do our codes of ethics say? (NASW, AAMFT, ACA, APA)
  • Ethical dilemma case studies
  • Video clip: therapist consultation discussion
  • Movie case study: "Prime"

Recommendations and Guidelines for Practice (1.15 hours)

  • First impressions are important: Informed consent
  • Prevention and action
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Categories of dual relationships
  • Assessing multiple relationships
  • Negative consequences
  • Is dual always bad?
  • Key guidelines for practice
  • case studies
  • Practice question video

Diversity Considerations (30 mins)

  • Dual relationships in rural settings
  • Considerations of race, ethnicity and other diversity factors
  • Case studies of diversity and culture in dual relationships

Closing, Q&A, Reflection (15 mins)

 

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by the NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the 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-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the 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-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy: Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.