Workshop Description:

Even the most seasoned clinicians can be faced with moments in therapy that create feelings of confusion or disequilibrium because the therapeutic dynamics or potential decisions we are asked to make can put us on an ethical “slippery slope.” In this workshop participants will be invited to process and explore some of those challenges, using written scenarios from actual case examples. These cases will highlight issues including: navigating gift giving; the blurring and testing of a variety of boundaries; clients’ subtle requests for a dual relationship; well-intentioned interventions that become enabling; counter-transferential reactions to clients’ narratives and experiences; the use of self-disclosure; transferring and terminating clients prematurely or inappropriately. Special attention will also be paid to therapy dynamics that inadvertently and unethically re-enact trauma. As these scenarios are discussed the presenter will weave in the code of ethics from various professional mental health Boards. This workshop meets all ETHICS requirements.

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Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the red flags that represent the blurring of boundaries.

2. Describe at least three counter-transferential reactions that put therapists on an ethical “slippery slope.”

3. Explain the clinical rationale for ethically using self-disclosure in therapy: when it’s appropriate and when it’s not.

4. Identify the ethical concerns related to receiving or giving clients gifts.

5. Identify the ethical grounds for transferal and termination.

6. Identify several ways in which the therapist can be put in the unethical situation of enabling clients.