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Clarifying Our Ethical Responsibilities
In Multi-Client and Agency-Referred Cases
Why is "Who Is The Client?" the Wrong Ethical Question
What Question(s) Should We Ask Instead?
Mary Alice Fisher, Ph.D.
Monday, January 25, 2010 -- DoubleTree Hotel -- Charlottesville VA
3 CEs

WORKSHOP OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION:
Implications of How We Conceptualize the Case
& Define Ethical Responsibilities
in Multi-Client and Agency-Referred Cases

  I. Predictable Characteristics of Multi-Client and Agency-Referred Cases
   
  II. Ethical Responsibilities in Multi-Client Therapy Cases
   
A. General Questions About Informed Consent & Confidentiality
   
B. Individual (?) Therapy
     

Is a person in individual therapy always a "client" ? always the only client?
Can someone who is the focus of intervention, but who is never seen, be a "client"?
If others attend and participate (jointly or alone), do they also become "clients"?

        If not, what are they?
         
    C. Couple & Family Therapy vs . "Individual Therapy With Collaterals"
     

How is multi-client therapy different from individual therapy with collaterals?

        Clinically? Ethically? Legally?
      What are the rules about confidentiality with couples and families?
Who gets to decide? Who must you tell?
What do you say to third party payers?
         
    D. Child/Adolescent Therapy
     

Must parents be actively involved? If they are involved, are they also "clients"?

     

What are the rules about disclosure of information to parents/others?

        Who gets to decide? What will you explain? To whom must you explain?
       
  III. Ethical Responsibilities With Third-Party Referrals
       
    A. General Questions
      What is the relationship between mental healthpProfessional and referring agency ?
      Is there a contract? What are the expectations?
       
    B. Third Parties: Are They Ever Really "The Client?"
     

Court-Ordered Evaluations & Therapy
Agency-Conducted Evaluations & Therapy
Employer-Required Evaluations & Interventions

       
  IV. ("Who Is The Client?")
   

On Asking this as a clinical, reimbursement, or legal question
On NOT asking this as an ethical question

 

Educational Goals:
 

(a) Explain why "Who is the client?" is not a helpful ethical question in multi-client or agency cases;
(b) List some of the general ethical questions that are important to ask about any type of case;
(c) Name some ethical questions that might be asked about individual and multi-client cases;
(d) Describe ethical implications of obtaining or not obtaining a contract before providing services.

)( )( )( )( )( )(
Continuing Education (C.E.) Credits - Ethics/Laws:

The Center for Ethical Practice is approved by
APA (American Psychological Association) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists;
by NASW ( National Association of Social Workers ( as Provider # 886-40-7427);
and by VCA (Virginia Counselors Association) [NBCC Approved Provider #2047].
The Center for Ethical Practice maintains full responsibility for all programs and their content.
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