This course is specifically designed to meet the licensure renewal requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the state of California. The California Board of Behavioral Science mandates that every Licensed Clinical Social worker, LCSW, completes 6 hours of continuing education in the area of law and ethics every renewal period (2 years). California Statute 1887.3(d)
The ethics portion of this course is based upon multiple articles which as a whole provide the student with an overview of the most common ethical problems faced by clinicians today, with more detailed information on confidentiality and boundary violations. The laws and rules portion focuses on a new statutes and other pertinent laws.
The first article. published on the APA - American Psychological Association website, is about ethics for psychologists and other healthcare professionals. It is a short summary of the frequent ethical problems that are encountered by practicing psychologists and therapists, as well as other healthcare professionals, with guidelines for avoiding problems. It is full of practical tips on how to avoid common ethical dilemmas.
The second article is a comprehensive report on Mental Health published by the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States. This course provides therapists and healthcare professionals with a review of current information on ethical issues about confidentiality; values underlying confidentiality, research on confidentiality and mental health treatment and the current state of confidentiality law. This course is designed for healthcare professionals who work in both private and public, and urban and rural areas. It is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners.
This third article is based on a publication of Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The article discusses the problematic issue of boundary violations and sexual misconduct between therapists and their clients. The discussion includes risk factors and preventive measures. The course is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners.
The laws portion of this course is based upon the Buisness and Professions Code of the State of California Statues. It relates several of the regulations relating to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, Educational Psychology and Clinical Social Work issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
This course is designed for both clinicians and administrators who work in both private and public agencies. It is specifically designed for clinical social workers, however, it is also appropriate for other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, who are interested in another perspective on ethics. It is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners.
The course may meet the 6 hour mandatory license renewal requirements for many licensed professions.
The first Article is:
10 Ways Practitioners Can Avoid Frequent Ethical Pitfalls. Boost Your Ethical Know-How with These Practical Tips on Avoiding Common Ethical Quandaries.
Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with a review of common ethical problems, confidentiality and boundary problems as well as California law. Specifically, a professional will able to:
Identify the most common ethical problems currently facing practicing therapists and healthcare professionals.
Identify the laws regarding confidentiality and the values that underlie confidentiality.
Identify important components in California law for social workers.
Credits: 6
Exam Fee: $60.00
Format: Online
Ce-Classes is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Exp 3/2011
Ce-classes.com is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards
400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org.
ASWB Approval Period: 1/5/08 - 1/5/11 Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Social workers will receive 6credits for continuing education clock hours
in participating in this course. (* Please see course descriptions for ceu information, one ceu =
one continuing education clock hour)
Ce-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for
psychologists. Ce-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
As such we are approved providers of continuing education for psychologists in most states in the U.S.
Please see our get state requirements button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for
more information.
Ce-Classes.com is an approved provider by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC);
Provider # 6320 Exp. 4/30/2012. As such we are approved providers of continuing education for Mental Health
Counselors, Therapists, Professionals, etc, in most states in the U.S. Please see our get state requirements
button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for more information.
All courses are available for Homestudy. For information about Homestudy courses and about our
Administrative policies visit our About Us page.
If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
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Exam Questions for California: Law and Ethics for Clinical Social Workers
1. According to Robert Kinscherch, the key question to ask yourself regarding ethics is . . . how can I document this accurately? how can I be even better in my practice? how can I get in trouble if I do this? how can I avoid ethical problems? 2. The central question in a multiple relationship question is . . . whose needs are being met here? who benefits the most from this relationship? can the client be harmed if I do this? is this the current standard of care? 3. Each of the following is a key factor in determining if a multiple relationship is appropriate EXCEPT: power duration termination influence 4. In order to protect confidentiality, this article suggests that the practitioners should . . . avoid speaking about client issues in the waiting room ensure that data files are encrypted with secure passwords obey mandatory reporting laws post informed consent forms in the waiting room 5. This article makes the point that a signed consent form does not . . . substitute for the informing process protect the professional from liability ensure that consent is freely given last for more than one year 6. In regards to supervision of other psychologists, this article indicates that supervisors should ensure all of the following is included in their documentation EXCEPT: supervision dates discussions they have had other relevant facts financial remuneration when it occurs 7. If you are a therapist for a client and they have a court case which may involve custody issues it is advised that you . . . shouldn't serve as an expert witness should evaluate the situation objectively before making a decision should never agree to testify for your client shouldn't comply with subpoenas for client records without a court order 8. Ed Nottingham states that a psychologist's best ally against ethical charges can be . . . transparency informed consent documentation being mindful of professional boundaries 9. Appropriate documentation should include all of the following EXCEPT: follow-up efforts out of office contacts treatments considered and rejected exact quotes from the client 10. Areas of practice where psychologists should be very careful that they have the expertise to practice were outlined in this article. It specifically mentions . . . sexual problems dual diagnosis clients victims of domestic violence child- custody 11. In order to avoid the misperception that a psychologist has dumped a client for non-payment of services; it is suggested that the psychologist should __________ during the first session. discuss the treatment timeline discuss the obligation to pay for services inform the client of the limits of their insurance inform the client of their payment for services policy 12. According to this article, ethics experts agree that there is nothing more important than . . . honesty with clients accuracy in billing informed consent appropriate waivers for disclosure 13. The endorsement of the importance of confidentiality comes from the case US Supreme Court case . . . Stillers v. Richman Jaffee v. Redmond Jules v. Sillman Dovan v. Trent 14. Health care is increasingly paid for by for-profit corporations with business in many states. This shift creates many consequences, this article discusses all of the following consequences EXCEPT: fiscally based need for disclosure individual health care information may be disseminated beyond the providing practitioner third party review of practitioner's judgment distribution of private health information for the purpose of marketing 15. While the importance of confidentiality as an ethical principle is evident, it is also clear that confidentiality is . . . protected without limits an absolute value not an absolute value viewed equally in all disciplines of mental health 16. Each of the following was discussed at length as values underlying confidentiality EXCEPT: reducing stigma fostering trust protecting privacy advocating mental health 17. The two important anchors to the principle of autonomy that are discussed in the article are. . . confidentiality and trust informed consent and confidentiality trust and informed consent individuality and self determination 18. The most common exception to confidentiality is consent by the person in treatment disclosure to the client disclosure to other providers disclosure to payers 19. _____ state laws provide that individuals have a right of access to health care records containing information about them. all most many, although not all some 20. All states have provisions that allow entities with _____ to have access to medical records without client consent. oversight responsibilities third party payers subpoenas legitimate need to know 21. All states _____ disclosure in situations where a third party might be at risk from harm. mandate permit or mandate dictate permit 22. The confidentiality of information obtained during substance abuse treatment services is governed by . . . federal law regardless of the payer state law if the program receives state or federal assistance federal law if the program receives any federal assistance state law which varies from state to state 23. Confidentiality is a matter of _____ concern. ethical legal moral ethical and legal 24. According to the conclusions section of this article, confidentiality of mental health information is a critical point of concern for . . . providers and consumers payers, providers and consumers the general public welfare consumers and providers of mental health services 25. Boundary problems and sexual misconduct rank ______ as causes of malpractice actions against mental health practitioners. highest second only to suicide second only to dual relationships third 26. The authors of this article cite ______ as playing a significant role in the persistence of the problem of boundary problems. denial dual relationships marital discord clinical burnout 27. According to the article, boundary crossings can be defined as . . . . initial first steps in boundary violations potentially harmful deviations from traditional clinical behavior harmless deviations from traditional clinical practice, behavior or demeanor culturally based divergences from traditional practice 28. This article indicates that one of the reasons that maintenance of boundaries is always the responsibility of the clinician, is because . . . . patients do not understand the complexities of the therapeutic process patients are easy to manipulate patients are vulnerable patients are not governed by a professional code of ethics 29. According to the article, boundary problems arise only for a few "bad apple" therapists almost always early on in one's career for all clinicians irrespective of the number of years of experience for all clinicians experiencing a life crisis 30. Transitions are discussed as a risk factor for clinicians. Financial reversals, working with managed care, stock market declines and other factors may lead to increase a clinician's susceptibility to . . . financial exploitation sexual exploitation all types of boundary issues depression 31. Erotic feelings towards a patient are __________ and may be highly threatening and anxiety producing for a clinician. universal common rare atypical 32. Seasoned practitioners may believe that, given their level of experience, they may be inclined to view boundary violations differently seek consultation right away when they need it believe that the usual rules do not apply to them brush aside the need to seek consultation 33. Factors associated with increased vulnerability of patients include . . . enmeshment autonomy depression divorce 34. All of the following were described as approaches to dealing effectively with boundary problems EXCEPT . . . education supervision consultation regulation 35. When must renewal applicants need to submit their fingerprints? Before October 31, 2009 Before their renewal date Before March 31, 2010 Before September 9, 2011 36. How long are applicants required to retain a copy of proof of completion of submitting their fingerprints to BBS? There is no need to save a copy One year Two years Three years 37. How will renewal applicants who live in the state of California comply with the fingerprint requirement? By submitting their fingerprints to the FBI By submitting their fingerprints using the live scan method By submitting their fingerprints using the 10-print fingerprint cards In state applicants do not need to send in their fingerprints if they were fingerprinted by their employers 38. How will renewal applicants who live outside the state of California comply with the fingerprint requirement? By submitting their fingerprints to the FBI By submitting their fingerprints using the live scan method By submitting their fingerprints using the 10-print fingerprint cards Out of state applicants do not need to send in their fingerprints 39. Any person supervising an associate clinical social worker registered with the board must meet all the following criteria EXCEPT: Have a valid license Taken a course of 10 hours in supervision training knows and understands the laws and regulations pertaining to both supervision of associates develop the "Supervisory Plan" with associate 40. Advertising in a manner which is false or misleading is considerd... An ethical violation In poor taste Good business practice Unprofessional conduct 41. How many hours of continuing education are required for renewal? 20 26 36 42 42. Can the six hour Law and Ethics be considered part of the total continuing education requirement? Yes No Only in odd years Only in even years
California: Law and Ethics for Clinical Social Workers
If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
