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DVD

California Legal and Ethical Issues for Mental Health Clinicians


Speaker:
Susan Lewis, Ph.D., J.D.
Duration:
6 Hours 04 Minutes
Copyright:
Apr 26, 2021
Publisher:
PESI, Inc.
Product Code:
RNV061450

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Description

This program focuses on ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that impact psychological practice and explores the manner by which clinical and ethical issues affect the everyday practice of the mental health professional in California. This unique blend of clinical and ethical concerns allows for a more meaningful understanding and interpretation of the rules that govern mental health practice and allows the attendee to identify specific state laws that affect and govern their practice.

Through lecture, a review of references including the APA “Ethics Code” and the seminar manual with state-specific policies and regulations; Dr. Lewis will prepare you for litigation issues that can put your client, your license and your practice at risk. You will learn how to structure your practice to limit exposure of risk, as well as discover record-keeping practices that may help protect you in the event of a complaint. Susan will provide you with the following take-home tools to minimize risk:

  • Updates on HIPAA and California laws and regulations
  • Risk management strategies
  • How to avoid litigation dilemmas, complaints and malpractice actions
  • Best practices in the professional relationship, informed consent, and office policies

You will learn through problem-solving discussions that are representative of actual ethical decisions you encounter in your clinical practice. The blending of Susan’s experience as a lawyer, work within the court system and extensive clinical experience makes her a hands-on, knowledgeable instructor!

Credit


* Credit Note - ****

Save time and money off other submission methods – purchase & take the CE test online for $29.99. Additional processing fees apply for other submission methods (i.e. mail, fax, etc.). Please contact our Customer Service at 1-800-844-8260 for more details.  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact cepesi@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before completion.

Certificates of Successful Completion are available for email, download and/or printing from your online account immediately following the successful completion of the post-test/evaluation.

**Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  For Planning Committee disclosures, please statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - Ethics

This self-study activity includes 6.0 hours of State specific ethics instruction. Not all boards allow ethics credit for self-study products. If ethics is not specified within your licensing board’s approval statement below, please contact your board to determine the applicability and amount of ethics allowed.


Counselors - Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Counselors - California Counselors

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Social Workers - Social Workers - National ASWB ACE

PESI, Inc., #1062, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: January 27, 2020 - January 27, 2023. Social Workers completing this course receive 6.0 Ethics continuing education credits.

 

Course Level: Intermediate. Format: Asynchronous distance learning. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance. 


Social Workers - California Social Workers

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Psychologists - Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content. PESI, Inc. is offering these self-study materials for 6.0 hours of continuing education credit. Course Level: Intermediate.


Marriage & Family Therapists - Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save this course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements. 


Marriage & Family Therapists - California Marriage & Family Therapists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Addiction Counselors - Addiction Counselors - NAADAC

NAADAC

This self-study course has been approved by PESI, Inc., as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 6.0 CE in the Legal, Ethical and Professional Development skill group. NAADAC Provider #77553. PESI, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of their programming. Full attendance is required; no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance.


Addiction Counselors - California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CCAPP-EI)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CCAPP-EI, Provider #: OS-03-036-1025. This activity meets the qualifications for 6.0 CEH's (continuing education hours).


Addiction Counselors - California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CADTP)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CADTP, Provider #: 201. This Category H activity meets the qualifications for 6.0 CEU's (continuing education hours).


Nurses - California Nurses

PESI, Inc. is a provider approved by the California Board of  Registered Nursing, Provider #: 17118 for 6.0 self-study contact hours. 

** You will need to provide your license number to PESI. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


Educators, Teachers & School Professionals - California Licensed Educational Psychologists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 6.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 6.0 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Susan Lewis, Ph.D., J.D. Related seminars and products


Susan J. Lewis, Ph.D., J.D., is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist and lawyer. She has over 25 years of experience in clinical practice with unique populations that have included female sexual offenders incarcerated at a woman’s prison, self-injurious individuals, forensic patients and individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Lewis has served in leadership roles as clinical director, program manager, and supervisor for psychiatry residents and post-doctoral psychologists.

 

Currently, Dr. Lewis teaches courses on Law and Ethics in Mental Health that are state specific to the laws of each state. She has also lectured nationwide on the DSM-5® and differential diagnosis. She taught courses at Harvard’s Extension School and Northeastern University on The Psychology of Criminal Behavior. She is the author of Legal and Ethical Issues for Mental Health Clinicians: Best Practices for Avoiding Litigation, Complaints and Malpractice (PPM, 2016) and her latest book From Deep Within: A Forensic and Clinical Psychologist's Journey (2018).

 

A sought-after consultant, Dr. Lewis works with attorneys on controversial issues such as dangerousness, competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility evaluations, and civil and criminal commitment. She works with attorneys on strategies of how mental illness might impinge on legal decision-making. Dr. Lewis has been adjudicated an expert in almost all of the district and superior courts in Massachusetts.

 

Her extensive clinical experience makes her a hands-on, knowledgeable instructor. She is engaging and has a wonderful sense of humor, which she brings to her seminars.

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Susan Lewis is in private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Susan Lewis is a member of the American Psychological Association.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product. For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Describe how to avoid litigation dilemmas, licensing complaints and malpractice actions.
  2. Analyze the legal and ethical considerations for the treatment of minor populations in California with regard to age of consent, confidentiality and custody concerns.
  3. Explain how an understanding of common boundary and dual relationship issues/dilemmas can help you maintain appropriate relationships with your clients.
  4. Identify ethical challenges you should consider when responding to subpoenas that request disclosure of client records.
  5. Discuss the limits of confidentiality as it relates to duty to warn law in California.
  6. Demonstrate how risk management strategies regarding technology can keep client information secure and avoid violating HIPAA.

Outline

Clinician-Client Relationship
  • Law vs. ethics
  • Elements of legal informed consent
  • Nuts and bolts of office policies
    • Records vs. psychotherapy notes
    • What to put in a record
  • Limitations on confidentiality
    • California case law & danger to others
    • California duty to warn potential victims
      • HIPAA
    • The latest updates you need to know
Practical Approach to Risk Management
  • Elements of consent
  • Competence & scope of practice
  • Boundary violations/crossings
  • Issues with modern technology
    • Texting, cell phones, e-mail, video psychotherapy
  • Perils of supervision
Litigation
  • Licensing complaints & malpractice lawsuits
    • California-specific statues
    • California rules and regulations
    • Case law and how to find it
Navigate the Legal System
  • Roles of attorneys
  • Confidentiality/privilege
  • Subpoena & disclosure of confidential information
  • Depositions, interrogatories, expert testimony
Treatment of Minors
  • California age of majority
  • Consent to treatment
  • Privilege/confidentiality
  • Separation & divorce
Case Studies

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Case Managers
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Nurses
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

Reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Overall:      4

Total Reviews: 22

Comments

Elizabeth M

"None."

John R

"Technology issues beyond presenter control in some regards, apparently video did go live, but was never able to see her."

Veena N

"Disappointed with failure of technology. The presentation was disorganized"

Corinna C

"she was so disorganized and flustered. She went off on tangents too much and did not go into much detail about what was on the slides. Everything was a story and she used her preferences/experience as recommended guidance on sensitive topics that are open to interpretation - potentially misguided for novice practictioners."

George V

"This was one of the worst CEs that I have done with PESI. Dr. Lewis was dressed inappropriately, perseverated concerning her past experiences (at the cost of addressing all the slides appropriately), exhibited mild word finding difficulties (and I say this as someone who works at skilled nursing facilities with geriatric patient), and did not address all the material on which we were tested. I will never register for another CE with her! PESI needs to do periodic audits of their CEs."

Guadalupe V

"Excellent training."

Paul E

"There were a few test questions that were not addressed in the course material"

Juliet R

"Instructor was dynamic, honest, and up to date with relevant information."

Mary N

"Susan Lewis is an excellent presenter!! I have taken 2 Legal and Ethics courses by her. Great!!!"

Marylou V

"I now have very clear guidelines as to how to address legal issues AND protect my license. Thank you! "

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