Ethics and Boundaries

for Mental Health Professionals

3 CE and 3 NBCC approved clock-hours

Course Description

This course deals primarily with mental health professional ethics and confidentiality. Part 1 of this course discusses ethics for mental health professionals. Specifically, the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics is presented, and several tips for avoiding ethical pitfalls are discussed. Part 2 of this course considers the particularly important issue of confidentiality for mental health professionals. Florida laws and limits to confidentiality are reviewed, and the ethical, legal and policy issues of confidentiality are explored. Additionally, Federal confidentiality laws and HIPPA are examined, and potential problems with the current legal framework regarding confidentiality are introduced.

Course Learning Objectives

• Learn about the ACA Code of Ethics
• Describe ways to avoid ethical pitfalls
• Consider the ethical, legal and policy issues concerning confidentiality of mental health treatment
• Understand Federal confidentiality laws and HIPAA

Course-808770