Ethics: Current Issues and Practical Responses

CPD

Handouts

Faculty

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD Related seminars and products

Florida Atlantic University

Professor of Social Work

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Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD, is the past chair of the National Ethics Committee of the National Association of Social Workers and professor with the Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work. Dr. Barsky’s clinical practice includes work in child welfare, intimate partner abuse, family mediation, addiction and forensic social work.

Dr. Barsky was awarded “Creative Scholar of the Year” by Florida Atlantic University. His book credits include Ethics and Values in Social Work (Oxford University Press), Clinicians in Court (Guilford Press), Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions (Brooks/Cole) and Interprofessional Practice with Diverse Populations (Greenwood).

Dr. Barsky has spoken at many national and international conferences, including those of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, National Association of Social Workers, International Federation of Social Workers, Family Mediation Canada, Council on Social Work Education, and Association for Conflict Resolution. He has presented workshops and classes in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto, Jerusalem, London, Helsinki and Amsterdam.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Allan Barsky has an employment relationship with Florida Atlantic University. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He receives royalties as a published author. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Allan Barsky is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Council on Social Work Education, and the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors. He is an affiliate of the Peace, Justice and Human Rights Initiative, and he serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics.

Target Audience

Addiction Counselors, Case Managers; Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers, and other Mental Health Professionals

Objectives

• Use a strategic framework to recognize, articulate, analyze and resolve ethical problems and dilemmas that may arise in clinical practice.
• Identify and manage risk factors that may lead to boundary violations with clients.
• Apply an interest-based approach to resolve ethical conflicts with clients and co-professionals.
• Recognize and manage the ethical risks of using communication technologies, including issues related to confidentiality, documentation, boundary crossings, client safety, client exploitation, cross-border services, professional competence and informed consent.
• Instruct clients in a full and frank discussion of ethical issues pertaining to confidentiality, privilege and subpoenas to court.
• Respond effectively to attorneys who may request client records or participation of the clinician in court-related processes.

Outline

A Process-Oriented Approach to Managing Ethical Issues

• Early identification
• Engage clients and others in resolving ethical issues
• Manage ethical, moral, legal and personal obligations

An Interest-Based Approach to Managing Ethical Issues

• Focus on interests rather than positions
• Enhance communication and trust
• Identify common ground and valid differences
• Generate options to maximize benefits and mitigate ethical risks
• Separate the person from the problem
• Apply objective criteria
• Obtain commitments

Using Communication Technologies

• Rationale for using videoconferencing, email, smart phones, online social networking and other communication technologies
• Identify risks relating to confidentiality, documentation, client safety, maintaining appropriate boundaries and informed consent
• Manage ethical risks and promote the highest standards of practice

Clinicians in Court

• Identify situations when clinicians may be called to testify or produce evidence
• Balance client, clinician and third party interests in confidentiality, privilege, due process, safety and informed consent
• Respond to client requests, informal attorney requests and subpoenas