A Guide to the Ethics of Electronic Communication for Mental Health Professionals

CPD

Handouts

Faculty

Terry Casey, PhD Related seminars and products

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Terry Casey, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, HSP health service provider with over 30 years of professional experience, including a 16-year tenure as the director of counseling & psychological services for a non-profit agency with over 30 counselors at over a dozen locations. He is in private practice in Franklin, Tennessee, teaches ethics and professional issues in counseling at Lipscomb University’s graduate program in clinical mental health counseling, and guest lectures at Trevecca Nazarene University’s PhD program in Clinical counseling. Dr. Casey also served for several years as the chair of the ethics committee for the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors’ Association and in an advisory capacity for graduate counseling programs at two universities. He has presented frequently on ethics to organizations such as the American Counseling Association, the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association, the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors, and others. For more information, visit his practice website at rencounselingtn.com.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Terry Casey maintains a private practice and is a faculty member of Lipscomb University. He is a published author and receives royalties. Dr. Casey receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Terry Casey is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Tennessee Psychological Association, the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselor Association, and others. For a complete list, please contact info@pesi.com.

Objectives

1. Establish a social media policy and plan that guards against crossing ethical boundaries with your clients.
2. Communicate the various legal and ethical issues that can arise from email and texting, such as HIPAA compliance and privacy issues.
3. Specify the unique ethical and legal challenges that can occur when using distance therapy with clients.

Outline

Social Media – How to Avoid Ethical Nightmares

• Multiple Relationships and Top Boundary Issues
  • Virtual relationships
  • Presence on social media: professional vs personal
  • Clients’ privacy and social media – Dangers of “creeping”
  • Clinical example 1 – Danielle, Facebook & Twitter
  • Clinical example 2 – Lauren’s posted pic: Oops!
  • Clinical example 3 – “Well, that’s interesting…”: What Jennifer saw
• Creating a Solid Action Plan to Avoid Ethical Issues
  • Establish an Effective Social Media Policy (Examples Provided)
  • Post social media policy practice/organization’s website
  • Incorporating into informed consent process
  • Separate personal social media from professional social media
  • Respect the privacy of client’s social media presence

Email and Texting – Navigating the Legal Traps

• Encrypted vs Unencrypted Email
  • The importance of encrypting emails
  • How to encrypt emails
  • Recommendations for usage
• HIPAA Compliance Concerns with Texting
• Texting & Client Expectations
• Confidentially & Security Concerns
• Potential for Confusion
• Case Studies:
  • Example #1 – Dr. Baron, email and the at-risk client
  • Example #2 -- Anna and Joy: Texting issues

Navigating Distance Therapy – 6 Ethical & Legal Keys

• Technological Standards Must be Met
  • HIPAA compliance
  • Business associates agreements
• Practising Across State Lines
  • Subject to the laws/regulations of both states
• Technological Competence and Impact on Client
• Unique Informed Consent Concerns
• Policies and Procedures
  • Ensure data protection and avoid unintended access/disclosure
• Insurance Issues
  • Client’s insurance policies - reimbursement issues
  • Professional liability insurance – Is distance therapy covered?
• Clinical example – Joyce and the distance therapy dilemma

Target Audience

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