This presentation offers a risk management approach to addressing ethical issues in clinical mental health practice. Rather than focusing solely on avoiding lawsuits or licensing complaints, the presentation emphasizes ethically sound, client-centered decision-making that protects client wellbeing, respects client rights, and supports compliance with relevant ethical standards, laws, and agency policies. Participants will explore strategies for identifying, assessing, and responding to practice risks, particularly when clinicians face competing interests, conflicting obligations, or uncertainty about the best course of action. This course was developed for an interprofessional audience.
Live Webinar
Tue, Jul 21, 2026 at 3:00 pm EDTCE/CEU Offered: AK/1.0; AL/1.0; AR/1.0; ASWB ACE/1.0 Ethics; AZ/1.0; CA (CAADE)/1.0; CA (CADTP)/1.0; CA (CCAPP-EI)/1.0; CA/1.0; CE Broker/1.0 Ethics, CE Broker #20-1381126; CE Hours/1.0; CO/1.0; CT (CCB)/1.0; CT/1.0; DC/1.0; DE/1.0; FL/1.0; GA (ADACBGA)/1.0; GA/1.0; HI/1.0; IA/1.0; IACET/0.1; ID/1.0; IL (MFT CE Sponsor)/1.0; IL/1.0; IN/1.0; KS/1.0; KY/1.0; LA/1.0; MA/1.0; MD/1.0; ME/1.0; MI (MCBAP)/1.0 , Related, Treatment Ethics; MI/1.0; MN/1.0; MO (MCB)/1.0; MO/1.0; MS/1.0; MT/1.0; NAADAC/1.0 , Legal Ethical And Professional Development; NBCC CE Hours/1.0; NC/1.0; ND/1.0; NE/1.0; NH/1.0; NJ/1.0; NM/1.0; NV/1.0; NY-Contact Hours/1.0 Live Online; OH/1.0; OK (LPC/LMFT)/1.0; OK (OBLADC)/1.0; OK/1.0; OR/1.0; PA/1.0; RI/1.0; SC/1.0; SD/1.0; TN/1.0; TX/1.0; UT/1.0; VA/1.0; VT/1.0; WA/1.0; WI/1.0; WV/1.0; WY/1.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to describe at least three (3) key principles of risk management as they apply to ethical decision-making in clinical mental health practice.
- After this course, participants will be able to identify at least three (3) common ethical, legal, and professional risks that arise in clinical practice, including risks related to confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, boundaries, client safety, and conflicting obligations.
- After this course, participants will be able to explain strategies for responding to ethical dilemmas in ways that protect client wellbeing, respect client rights, reduce foreseeable harm, and comply with relevant laws, ethical standards, and agency policies.
Agenda
| 0-5 Minutes | Introduction – Overview and Rationale |
| 5-15 Minutes | Risk Management Principles |
| 15-25 Minutes | Common Risks |
| 25-35 Minutes | Risk Management Strategies |
| 35-50 Minutes | Application |
| 50-55 Minutes | Reflection & Barriers |
| 55-60 Minutes | Questions and Answers, Summary |
Presented By
Allan Barsky
JD, MSW, PhD
Dr. Allan Barsky is a professor of social work at Florida Atlantic University where he was awarded “Scholar of the Year” in 2020. He is a former chair of the National Ethics Committee of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was awarded NASW’s “Excellent in Ethics Award.” In 2024, he received the “Florida Atlantic University Alumni Award for Impact in Teaching” and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts “Research Award.” Dr. Barsky’s book credits include “Ethics and Values in Social Work,” “Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions,” “Clinicians in Court” and “Essential Ethics for Social Work Practice.”
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Financial disclosures: Dr. Allan Barsky received an honorarium for presenting this course. He is a professor at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches professional ethics. He has authored several books including, "Ethics & Values in Social Work," "Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions" and "Clinicians in Court." Non-financial disclosures: Dr. Allan Barsky is a past Chair of the National Ethics Committee of NASW and received the 2015 “Excellence in Ethics Award” from NASW.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by Continued.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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