Category Archives: Ethics

Operational Psychology – New Online Ethics CE Course

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Operational Psychology: Legal and Ethical Considerations is a new 2-hour online continuing education (CE) course that explores the differing viewpoints on the necessity, legality, and ethical use of psychologists to aid the U.S. government in military commitments.

Operational Psychology: Legal and Ethical Considerations is a new 2-hour online continuing education (CE) course that explores whether psychologists should aid the U.S. government in hostile actions against its enemies.

Whether psychologists should aid the U.S. government in hostile actions against its enemies may be the most controversial topic in the history of the helping professions. The military operational psychologists and their supporters in APA governance advance indirect assessments, consultations to interrogators, and other such duties as protecting the government and American society from what could otherwise be catastrophic harms.

They advance the position that such duties are not unlike other third-party consultations, in which the psychologist’s primary duties are to an agency or governmental authority, informed consent is not required, and the targeted individual may be seriously harmed. They attribute the major atrocities of the past to a small number of rogue psychologists, behavioral drift, and poor supervision, which all but ushered in the recently published Professional Practice Guidelines for Operational Psychology.

The self-identified peace psychologists, who have led the movement in disfavor to what they consider unethical adversarial military operational psychology, conclude the alleged rogues were not alone in supporting a torture program and they, like their self-interested supporters in APA governance, have never taken personal responsibility or been held professionally or legally accountable. The peace psychologists conclude military demands and psychology ethics may be irreconcilable, the operational psychologists’ primary duties to the U.S. government subordinate the human rights of individuals who are the target of intervention, and amount to a perversion of professional ethics unbefitting the helping professions in entirety.

Each side attributes the other’s criticisms to conflicts of interest and other forms of bias. This course neutrally reviews the key legal and ethical issues, presents the peace and operational psychologist positions, and concludes with a summary and implications for the future of military operational psychology.

Outline

  • Introduction
  • Section 1: Professional Ethics & National Security
  • Section 2: Law
  • Section 3: Mental Health Treatment and Evaluations
  • Section 4: Psychology Ethics
  • Section 5: Recourses and Resolutions
  • Section 6: Conclusions

Course #21-69 | 2026 | 36 pages | 15 posttest questions | Mobile-Friendly

Operational Psychology: Legal and Ethical Considerations

Professional Development Resources, a small Florida nonprofit educational corporation 501(c)(3) organized in 1992, is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for all programs and content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Prior Approval Program); the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, Board of Psychology, Office of School Psychology, Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, Board of Occupational Therapy, and Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported next business day, currently reporting for 47 boards). Learn more about us.

Target Audience: Psychologists, School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), and Teachers

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Ethics & Law in Florida Psychology 2026 Edition

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The 2026 edition of the required course, Ethics and Law in Florida Psychology, is now available for Florida-licensed psychologists.

Ethics and Law in Florida Psychology

Ethics and Law in Florida Psychology 2026

The purpose of this course is to ensure that Florida-licensed psychologists are fully aware of the ethical and legal privileges and constraints under which they are licensed to practice in the State of Florida. It provides the opportunity for a comprehensive reading of the APA Code of Ethics and the three sets of statutes and rules governing the practice of psychology in Florida:

  1. The Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association
  2. The Florida Health Professions and Occupations General Provisions
  3. The Florida Psychological Services Act
  4. The Florida Administrative Code

These documents set forth the licensure requirements, definitions, principles, standards, competencies, limitations, and guidelines for legal and ethical practice in the areas of privacy and confidentiality, professional boundaries, record keeping, scope of practice, use of testing instruments, clinical supervision, sexual misconduct, and all aspects of psychotherapy. Disciplinary actions and guidelines are detailed in the 490 Practice Act and in the 64B19 Administrative Code.

The 2026 edition of the required course, Ethics and Law in Florida Psychology, is now available for Florida-licensed psychologists.

Case examples are included for the purpose of illustrating the types of practice errors that occur in real life and their real consequences for clients. They are actual cases found in the official public records of the Florida Department of Health Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA).

Completing this course will fulfill the requirement that licensed psychologists in Florida complete each biennial renewal period three hours of continuing education on professional ethics and Florida Statutes and rules affecting the practice of psychology. * This course satisfies the ethics and law requirement for biennial re-licensure of Florida psychologists. Course #31-64 | 2026 | 57 pages | 20 posttest questions | Mobile-Friendly

Customer Reviews:

“One of the best CEs I have taken. Excellent.” – P.S. (Florida Psychologist)

“The course was very well-done, and your support staff were very helpful.” S.R. (Florida Psychologist)

“I loved that the content was written at a professional level, and that questions were unique and, at times, challenging.” J.R. (Florida Psychologist)

Click here to learn more and enroll!

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for all programs and content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Prior Approval Program); the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, Board of Psychology, Office of School Psychology, Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, Board of Occupational Therapy, and Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported next business day, currently reporting for 47 boards).

PDR is a small nonprofit that offers over 100 accredited online CE courses for healthcare professionals. Learn more about us.

Target Audience: Psychologists, School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), and Teachers

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Ethics & Risk Management – New Online CE Course

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Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips 10 is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that addresses a variety of ethics and risk management topics in the form of 26 short articles, written by experts in the field.

Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips 10 is a 3-hour online CE course that addresses a variety of ethics and risk topics in the form of 26 short articles.

Topics include:

  • What Happens Next? Confidentiality after Death – Considers the legal and ethical issues of sharing confidential client records after a patient’s death.
  • Out-of-Office Encounters May Be Beneficial – Discusses the importance and benefits of out-of-office therapy sessions and encounters with clients.
  • Court Cases, Market Forces – An overview of court cases that highlight the ways in which regulatory boards may be at risk for an FTC complaint or federal suit.
  • Closing Practice Not for Faint of Heart – Describes the emotional toll that closing a private practice may have on clinicians and offers practical advice on how to prepare for this transition.
  • Fee Splitting is Unethical, and Sometimes Illegal – Describes the ins and outs of fee splitting and how to remain both ethical and legal in practice.
  • 3 Questions to Ask HIPAA Vendors – Offers three important questions to consider when selecting a HIPPA service.
  • Confronting Dissatisfaction with Professional Services – Provides twelve risk management strategies for practitioners to minimize, and hopefully avoid, consumer dissatisfaction and ethical/legal complaints.
  • Advertising Offers Must be Ethical – Explores how to advertise psychological services both ethically and legally.
  • Choosing Interpreter Requires Considerations – Raises points to consider when choosing an interpreter for use in clinical practice.
  • Mass Shootings Unfairly Stigmatizing Mentally Ill – Highlights the issues surrounding media exposure and violent gun crimes, reminding clinicians of the ethical issues regarding mental health and gun violence.
  • Court Ruling Could Affect Psychologists – The author reflects upon the court rulings in the case of Byrne v Avery Center to highlight the difference between privilege and confidentiality when patient records are under subpoena.
  • Employee vs Independent Contractor – Why it Matters – Outlines criteria for determining if a clinician should be designated as an employee or independent contractor.
  • Self-Care is Essential to Risk Management – Explains the importance of self-care, not only for the clinician’s health, but for the good of the practice.
  • Telepsychology Takes Special Training – An overview of essential elements to consider before launching a telepsychology practice.
  • New Lawsuit Revives Issue of Duty to Warn – Reminds practitioners of the Duty to Warn of potential threatening behavior from patients, and recommends keeping up to date with specific state laws.
  • Calling out Microaggressions: An Ethical Obligation – Shares an example of a microaggression and suggests a structured, easy to remember, strategy for intervention.
  • What Kind of Liability Insurance is Best? – Discusses the difference between an Occurrence insurance policy and a Claims-Made policy.
  • Managing Intoxicated Patients – Provides an overview of common situations and factors practitioners should prepare for and to inform their professional decision making when encountering an intoxicated patient.
  • Sexually Kinky Clients Present Ethical Issues – Weighs the ethical issues that accompany treating patients who engage in kinky behaviors.
  • Special Considerations Needed When Working with First Responders – Outlines the difficulties psychologists may encounter in treating first responders and provides suggestions on how to overcome the ethical challenges that may arise during treatment.
  • Touching Not Always a Violation – Examines the need for discrepancy and compassion when supporting clients and lists the Zur Institute’s Risk Management guidelines.
  • Child Porn Poses Ethical Dilemma – Clarifies the conflict that a therapist faces when patients reveal they are watching pornography online.
  • How to Ethically Increase Access to Care During COVID-19 – Considers the importance of thoughtfully navigating the ethics of billing and payment during the pandemic.
  • Therapy in the Time of COVID-19: A Look at One Ethical Issue – Provides a principle-based decision-making model to guide clinicians who are faced with patients who express intent to circumvent public health measures, placing the well-being of others at risk.
  • ‘Please Don’t Tell My Surgeon’: Managing Privacy, Confidentiality in Integrated Healthcare Settings – Discusses the ethical challenges practitioners may face when working in an integrated healthcare setting.
  • Minority IQ Scores Boosted to Enable Execution – Examines the issue of boosting IQ scores for minorities in sentencing and briefly explains the outcomes of relevant court cases.
  • A Guide to Child Custody Evaluations and Expert Testimony – Shares key points to bear in mind before becoming involved with child custody evaluations and expert testimony.
  • Seeing Domestic Violence Through Another Lens – Considers how men, who are victims of domestic violence, are overlooked and underserved.
  • Talk of Risks, Side Effects May Lead to Nocebo Effect – Suggests ways to reduce the frequency and severity of Nocebo Effects.

Course #31-39 | 2022 | 55 pages | 20 posttest questions

Click here to learn more about Ethics & Risk Management

This Ethics & Risk online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation. Click here to learn more.

Click here to view all ethics & risk courses.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA Provider #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology and Office of School Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dietetics and Nutrition, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners – Occupational Therapy; the Mississippi MSDoH Bureau of Professional Licensure – Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and MFT Board (#RCST100501) and Speech and Hearing Professionals Board; the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists (#193), Examiners in Psychology, Social Worker Examiners, Occupational Therapy, and Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); the West Virginia Board of Social Work; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant  (#50-1635 – all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Online Ethics CE for New York Psychologists

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Professional Ethics for New York State Psychologists is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that meets the ethics and law requirement for license renewal of New York psychologists.

Professional Ethics for New York State Psychologists is a new 3-hour online CE course that meets the ethics and law requirement of New York psychologists.

The purpose of this Online Ethics CE for New York Psychologists is to ensure that New York State licensed psychologists are fully aware of the ethical and legal privileges and constraints under which they are licensed to practice in the State of New York. It provides the opportunity for a comprehensive reading of the APA Code of Ethics and the four sets of laws, rules, and regulations governing the practice of psychology in New York. Completing this course will fulfill the New York State Education Law requirement that each licensed psychologist completes a minimum of 3 hours of coursework in professional ethics, including the laws, rules, and regulations for practice in New York State in any 36-month period. *This course satisfies the ethics and law requirement for triennial re-licensure of New York State psychologists.

Topics discussed include definitions of boundaries; resolving conflicts between ethics and the law; professional competence; boundary crossings vs. boundary violations; multiple relationships; sexual misconduct; privacy and confidentiality in the age of HIPAA; ethics issues with dangerous clients; ethical boundaries in use of social media; ethical practice in teletherapy; fees and financial relationships; use of assessments; and a model for ethical decision making.

New York State licensed psychologists are responsible for complying with New York State laws, rules, and regulations. Course #31-38 | 2022 | 57 pages | 20 posttest questions

Click here to learn more about Online Ethics CE for New York Psychologists

This Online Ethics CE for New York Psychologists provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation. Click here to learn more.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA Provider #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology and Office of School Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dietetics and Nutrition, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners – Occupational Therapy; the Mississippi MSDoH Bureau of Professional Licensure – Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and MFT Board (#RCST100501) and Speech and Hearing Professionals Board; the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists (#193), Examiners in Psychology, Social Worker Examiners, Occupational Therapy, and Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); the West Virginia Board of Social Work; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant  (#50-1635 – all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Ethics CE Course for SLPs Now in Audio Format

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PDR now offers an audio-based online ethics CE course for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs):

Ethical Considerations in Speech-Language Pathology is a new 1-hour audio continuing education (CE) course that examines ethical issues that SLPs may encounter in clinical practice.

Ethical Considerations in Speech-Language Pathology is a new 1-hour ethics CE course for SLPs - now available in audio format!

Participants will review the types of mistakes made and the importance of honesty and rule-following in practice. The course highlights the differentiation between ‘Principles of Ethics’ and the ‘Rule of Ethics’ and discusses the four general principles of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Code of Ethics.

Participants will look at the ethical responsibilities they have to themselves, colleagues, students, and clients as they consider their role in clinical practice (including tele-practice), research, and supervision. The course further discusses the link between research and ethical clinical practice, highlighting criteria that may help the clinician distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific treatment claims.

This ethics CE course gives an overview of the factors that may drive dishonest or unethical behavior and describes how to use the Consensus Model for decision making. Finally, the participant is given the opportunity to apply their learning as they review case studies, ponder possible solutions to the ethical dilemmas presented, and review answers to common questions regarding the case. Course #11-41 | 2021 | 53m audio + 40p handout | 10 posttest questions

Click here to learn more.

This audio ethics CE course provides instant access to the mp3 audio file, the course handout, and the CE test. The CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while listening to the course presentation).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA Provider #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy (#BAP346), Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635), Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635), and Occupational Therapy Practice (#34); the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; 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-0135); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Ethics & Boundaries in Psychotherapy – Online CE

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Ethics & Boundaries in Psychotherapy is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course intended to give psychotherapists the tools they need to resolve ethical and boundary issues and dilemmas that may be encountered in their everyday professional practice.

Ethics & Boundaries in Psychotherapy is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course intended to give psychotherapists the tools they need to resolve ethical and boundary issues and dilemmas that may be encountered in their everyday professional practice.

Topics discussed include definitions of boundaries; resolving conflicts between ethics and the law; boundary crossings vs. boundary violations; multiple relationships; sexual misconduct; privacy and confidentiality in the age of HIPAA; ethics issues with dangerous clients; boundary issues in clinical supervision; ethics and cultural competency; ethical boundaries in use of social media; ethical practice in teletherapy; fees and financial relationships; and a model for ethical decision making.

*Ethics & Boundaries satisfies the ethics & boundaries requirement for license renewal of Florida counselors, social workers & MFTs. It also includes teachings from the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics to meet the ethics requirement of West Virginia counselors. Course #31-30 | 2021 | 52 pages | 20 posttest questions

Click here to learn more.

Ethics & Boundaries provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA Provider #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy (#BAP346), Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635), Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635), and Occupational Therapy Practice (#34); the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; 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-0135); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501); the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193); the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Ethics & Risk Management – New Online CE Course

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Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips 9 is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that addresses a variety of ethics and risk management topics in the form of 26 short articles, written by experts in the field.

Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips 9 is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that addresses a variety of ethics and risk management topics in the form of 26 short articles, written by experts in the field.

The articles included in Ethics & Risk Management 9 are:

  • Addressing Boundary Issues – Discusses the risks, benefits, and ethics of boundary crossings and multiple relationships in therapy.
  • Consider Risks When Contracting with Commercial Teletherapy Companies – Highlights the risks and provides suggestions for working in e-therapy.
  • Ethical Considerations in Hospital Settings – Discusses the unique ethical challenges professionals in hospital settings face.
  • What is a Disability, Anyway? – Discusses the legal considerations involved in certifying a patient as “disabled” or having a “disability related need.”
  • Pre-Employment Evaluations for Police and Public Safety – Reviews clinical criteria for completing pre-employment psychological evaluations.
  • Exposure Varies in Alternative Practice Models – Discusses potential risks and benefits of alternative practice models.
  • Confidentiality Limited for Service Members – Provides guidance for civilian clinicians that provide mental health services to members of our military.
  • To Terminate or Not to Terminate? – Offers practice tips for clinicians to use when considering terminating therapy with clients.
  • Investigation Notice Not Cause for Panic – Illuminates steps you can take to prepare yourself and your practice, now and ahead of time, for the inevitable complaint.
  • Duty to Warn: Don’t Get Distracted by Legal Cases – Evaluates that laws may change, but the focus of “duty to warn” stays the same.
  • Taking on a Supervisee – An overview of best practice tips practitioners would be wise to consider before beginning a supervisory role of their own.
  • African American Families, Diversity and Ethics – A navigators’ guide to traversing the complexity of African American diversity with integrity and effective professionalism.
  • Protect Yourself from Ransomware – Explores common cyber-security threats and what can be done to mitigate these risks to your practice.
  • The Importance of Informed Consent – An answer to the question, “When and which elements of informed consent are required in the case of court-ordered evaluation?”
  • Laws/Rules Vary for Telepsychology Practice – Discusses the need for researching the ethical and legal guidelines before offering telepsychology services.
  • Working Ethically with LGBTQ Clients – Explores complications that can arise when treating sexual and gender minority clients and offers suggestions to help the clinician.
  • Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Clients Require Special Ethical Consideration – Provides a look at why it is important to offer interpreters to HOH or deaf clients and the ethical concerns associated with it.
  • How to Fine Tune Consultations – Offers advice on how to determine when a consultation may be necessary and who may be best equipped to provide you the necessary information.
  • High Quality, Well Documented Patient Care is Risk Management – Explains how developing habits of good practice and judicious competence underlie risk management protocols.
  • Ethics of Technology and Clinician Responsibility – Differentiates between psychological testing and assessment of patients and highlights the importance of the clinician’s expertise in the process.
  • Unique Peer Consultation Issues in Rural Alaska – Highlights the need for developing connections with trusted peers, who can support the clinician living and working in a rural Alaskan community.
  • Therapists Vulnerable to Sexual Misconduct Accusations – Reminds practitioners of the importance of having effective policies, practices, and education in place to protect oneself against allegations of misconduct.
  • When Being Too Helpful Can Backfire – Discusses the difference between ‘good customer service’ and a therapeutic relationship.
  • How to Handle Conflicts of Ethics and the Law – Provides examples of times when the Ethics Code conflicts with the law and offers strategies to resolve these conflicts.
  • Managing Risks of Telepsychology – A brief overview of the possible risks associated with telepsychology.
  • Supervising in the Age of #MeToo, Trigger Warning and Safe Spaces – A look at the nuances of interactions between supervisors and supervisees in light of the current social and political climate.

Course #31-22 | 2019 | 51 pages | 26 posttest questions

Click here to learn more.

Ethics & Risk Management 9 provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

Successful completion of the online CE test (80% required to pass, 3 chances to take) and course evaluation are required to earn a certificate of completion. Click here to learn more.

Have a question? Contact us. We’re here to help!

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Professional Development Resources is a nonprofit educational corporation 501(c)(3) organized in 1992. We are approved to sponsor continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA); the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA); the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology & School Psychology, Dietetics & Nutrition, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; 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-0135); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board and Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists and State Board of Social Worker Examiners; and are CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

PDR offers over 150 accredited online CE courses for healthcare professionals. 

Target Audience: Psychologists, School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), and Teachers

Enjoy 20% off all online continuing education (CE/CEU) courses @pdresources.org! Click here for details.

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Ethics in Nutrition & Dietetics

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Ethics in Nutrition & Dietetics

Ethics in Nutrition & Dietetics is a new 1-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that addresses the ethics of practice in nutrition and dietetics with the latest Code of Ethics from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Ethical practice is a requirement and a duty of all health professionals. We are in a life and death business where mistakes or misjudgments can cause real harm, such as in the case of medical errors. Being an ethical practitioner is your responsibility. Some situations seem clear cut while others are murky and may lead to more than one approach. The practice and business of nutrition and dietetics grow and change but ethical practices remain paramount regardless. Potential situations arise that require a review of what the ethical solution(s) should be. This course includes real-life scenarios so you can utilize the profession’s Code of Ethics to identify these ethical issues and come up with solutions and ways to avoid unethical behaviors.

This course satisfies the requirement of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) that RDNs and DTRs complete a minimum of 1 CPEU of Continuing Professional Education in Ethics (Learning Need Code 1050) during each 5-year recertification cycle in order to recertify. Course #11-23 | 2018 | 12 pages | 10 posttest questions

Click here to learn more.

Course Directions

This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. After enrolling, click on My Account and scroll down to My Active Courses. From here you’ll see links to download/print the course materials and take the CE test (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).

CE Information

Professional Development Resources is a CPE Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR #PR001). CPE accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of provider programs or materials. Professional Development Resources is also a provider with the Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition (#50-1635) and is CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within one week of completion).

 

Maintaining Boundaries in an Online World

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Maintaining Boundaries in an Online World

One of the mainstays of ethical practice and effective therapeutic practice is the maintenance of clinical boundaries. Clear boundaries are necessary in order for both therapist and client to understand the nature and purpose of their relationship with each other. Boundaries in therapy distinguish psychotherapy from other types of relationships. Confusion about the therapist-client relationship can only interfere with the goals and process of psychotherapy. A client who comes to view the therapist as a friend, lover, or business associate – anything other than his or her source of professional help – is likely to have difficulty making use of the therapeutic alliance. In consideration of the implicit power imbalance that exists between therapist and client, the burden of responsibility for maintaining boundaries always falls upon the therapist.

Blurring of Roles

One of the many challenges to professional boundaries posed by participation in social networking is the fuzziness surrounding online relationships. There are actually at least two dynamics that need to be discussed here. The first is the blurring of the lines between personal and professional relationships, and the second is a phenomenon that seems to influence some individuals to self-disclose or act out more intensely online than they would in person.

The Online Disinhibition Effect

Complicating the picture further is a phenomenon that has been termed by Suler (2004) as the “online disinhibition effect.” This is essentially the observation that while online, some people self-disclose or act out more frequently or intensely than they would in person. People online tend to have a loosening of both behavioral inhibitions and boundaries. Self-disclosure in itself can be therapeutic, of course, but too much disclosure with loose boundaries can lead to toxic disinhibition and embarrassing content online. Researchers have found that three factors facilitate online disinhibition: anonymity, invisibility, and lack of eye contact (Lapidot-Lefler, 2015).

Social Hyperreality

Introducing further complexity into the equation is Borgmann’s (1984, 1992, 1999) early conceptualization of social hyperreality. He called it the device paradigm, described as “a technologically-driven tendency to conform our interactions with the world to a model of easy consumption… the way in which online social networks may subvert or displace organic social realities by allowing people to offer one another stylized versions of themselves for amorous or convivial entertainment.” I.e., the online version of a person may be very different than the person in real life.

In this light, not only do therapists and their clients have to assimilate new and startling data about each other found in online media, they also have to discern whether it represents the real person or his/her digital avatar.

The upthrust of all of this is that therapists must go to extraordinary lengths to assure that their therapeutic relationships do not devolve into something less than what is required for single-minded attention to the best interests of their clients. Even an established and carefully constructed therapy relationship can be unwittingly unraveled by a chance encounter on Facebook. Even when the therapist is mindful of professional boundaries and judicious in the use of self-disclosure, an indiscreet posting or picture on his or her social network page – when viewed by a client – can largely undo prior efforts.

Course excerpt from:

Ethics and Social MediaEthics and Social Media is a 2-hour online continuing education (CE) course that examines the use of Social Networking Services (SNS) on both our personal and professional lives. Is it useful or appropriate (or ethical or therapeutic) for a therapist and a client to share the kinds of information that are routinely posted on SNS like Facebook, Twitter, and others? How are psychotherapists to handle “Friending” requests from clients? What are the threats to confidentiality and therapeutic boundaries that are posed by the use of social media sites, texts, or tweets in therapist-client communication?

The purpose of this course is to offer psychotherapists the opportunity to examine their practices in regard to the use of social networking services in their professional relationships and communications. Included are ethics topics such as privacy and confidentiality, boundaries and multiple relationships, competence, the phenomenon of friending, informed consent, and record keeping. A final section offers recommendations and resources for the ethical use of social networking and the development of a practice social media policy. Course #20-75 | 2016 | 32 pages | 15 posttest questions

Click here to learn more.

Course Directions

Our online courses provide instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. Successful completion of the online CE test (80% required to pass, 3 chances to take) and course evaluation are required to earn a certificate of completion. Click here to learn more. Have a question? Contact us. We’re here to help!

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Professional Development Resources is a nonprofit educational corporation 501(c)(3) organized in 1992. We are approved to sponsor continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA); the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA); the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology & School Psychology, Dietetics & Nutrition, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board and Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists and State Board of Social Worker Examiners; and are CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Target Audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapist (MFTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), School Psychologists, and Teachers

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!

Is it Ethics or Law?

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Is it Ethics or Law?

In my position as chair of the Florida Psychological Association’s Ethics Committee, I frequently receive telephone calls from psychologists asking for guidance about ethical concerns. However, the majority of questions I hear actually have nothing to do with ethics, per se. Rather, they are queries about the law and psychologists often seem surprised to find that they are blending the two realms in their minds. I’ll try to clarify how to tell if a dilemma is ethics or law in this column.

Laws are rules of conduct established by a community or authority and enforceable by that entity. The underlying philosophy of the law is called jurisprudence. Certainly, it may be claimed that ethical concerns are often at the root of our laws, but ethics do not carry the power of law. In order for laws to have real meaning, a system of punishments is often established and enforced. In the United States, laws are established and enforced by federal, state, county and local governments.

Psychology’s ethical system is promulgated by The American Psychological Association. APA’s current Code of Ethics was adopted by the Council of Representatives and establishes our ethical guideposts. As stated in the code’s introduction, “The Ethics Code is intended to provide guidance for psychologists and standards of professional conduct that can be applied by the APA and by other bodies that choose to adopt them.”

What follows is 16 pages of “guidance” covering many of the ethical challenges with which psychologists must wrestle on a daily basis. The code is, quite literally, the end product of decades of work by thousands of psychologists who committed their time and energy to carefully considering the relevant issues. However, the code is not law and specifically addresses that point in its introduction by stating:

“The Ethics Code is not intended to be a basis of civil liability. Whether a psychologist has violated the Ethics Code standards does not by itself determine whether the psychologist is legally liable in a court action, whether a contract is enforceable, or whether other legal consequences occur.”

The code provides further clarification in section 1.02, Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority: “If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other governing legal authority, psychologists make known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take steps to resolve the conflict. If the conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing legal authority.”

Ultimately, therefore, we may obey a law that conflicts with our ethical code. However, if our ethical obligations represent a higher moral standard than the law, we are obligated to embrace that higher level. And, we are bound to consider a variety of sources of guidance, including that found in our own conscience.

The instructions continue: “In the process of making decisions regarding their professional behavior, psychologists must consider this Ethics Code in addition to applicable laws and psychology board regulations. In applying the Ethics Code to their professional work, psychologists may consider other materials and guidelines that have been adopted or endorsed by scientific and professional psychological organizations and the dictates of their own conscience, as well as consult with others within the field. If this Ethics Code establishes a higher standard of conduct than is required by law, psychologists must meet the higher standard.”

We are required to engage in a “process” that can be complex and not always satisfying. An example of this process may be briefly discussed relative to laws requiring psychologists to report child abuse.

What is to be done if a nearly 18 year-old patient tells you that he was abused by his stepmother when he was 12? He has had no contact with his stepmother for five years since his father divorced her and she moved to New Zealand. Therapeutically, is it in the patient’s best interests to report the abuse? If not, our ethical standards would suggest that it not be done. However, the law requires it.

Therefore, law trumps ethics. However, your consultation with peers and a personal examination of conscience may ultimately lead you to consider not making the report. Yet, to not report the incident is a violation of the law. What do you do?

Nobody said it was going to be easy.

By Stephen A. Ragusea, PsyD, ABPP

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This article is one of 28 included in the 3-hour online continuing education course Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips 8 that addresses a wide variety of ethics and risk management topics, written by experts in the field.

Related Online Continuing Education (CE) Courses:

Ethics & Boundaries in PsychotherapyEthics & Boundaries in Psychotherapy is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course intended to give psychotherapists the tools they need to resolve the common and not-so-common ethical and boundary issues and dilemmas that they may expect to encounter in their everyday professional practice in the 21st century. Among the topics discussed are definitions of boundaries; resolving conflicts between ethics and the law; boundary crossings vs. boundary violations; multiple relationships; sexual misconduct; privacy and confidentiality in the age of HIPAA and the Patriot Act; ethics issues with dangerous clients; boundary issues in clinical supervision; ethics and cultural competency; ethical boundaries in use of social media; ethical practice in teletherapy; fees and financial relationships; and a 17-step model for ethical decision making. Course #30-77 | 2017 | 42 pages | 21 posttest questions

*This course satisfies the ethics & boundaries requirement for license renewal of Florida counselors, social workers & MFTs. It also includes teachings from the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics to meet the ethics requirement of West Virginia counselors.

Ethics and Law in Florida PsychologyEthics and Law in Florida Psychology is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that meets the ethics and law requirement for license renewal of Florida psychologists. The purpose of this course is to ensure that Florida-licensed psychologists are fully aware of the ethical and legal privileges and constraints under which they are licensed to practice in the State of Florida. It provides the opportunity for a comprehensive reading of the APA Code of Ethics and the three sets of statutes and rules governing the practice of psychology in Florida. Completing this course will fulfill the requirement that licensed psychologists in Florida complete each biennial renewal period three hours of continuing education on professional ethics and Florida statutes and rules affecting the practice of psychology. Case examples are included in this course for the purpose of illustrating the types of practices errors that occur in real life and their real consequences for clients. They are actual cases found in the official public records of the Florida Department of Health Division of Medical Quality Assurance. Licensing board complaints are a matter of public record. Nevertheless, the case reports outlined are included only for the purpose of illustrating the kinds of errors that occur in the practice of psychology and therefore contain no specifics like names, dates, or case numbers. Course #31-05 | 2018 | 55 pages | 20 posttest questions

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Professional Development Resources is a nonprofit educational corporation 501(c)(3) organized in 1992. We are approved to sponsor continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA); the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA); the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology & School Psychology, Dietetics & Nutrition, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board and Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists and State Board of Social Worker Examiners; and are CE Broker compliant (all courses are reported within a few days of completion).

Target Audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapist (MFTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), School Psychologists, and Teachers

Earn CE Wherever YOU Love to Be!