NASW-CA EmpowerEd Program

Course Description

This is the first module in a two-part series that explores how to effectively manage high-risk behaviors and crisis issues, from an author who is a board-certified forensic expert (BCFE) and who is retained by attorneys to help defend or litigate cases against clinicians involved in malpractice or administrative actions. The two-part series addresses the legal and ethical standard of care for California’s licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). Clinicians who manage high-risk behaviors or crisis issues below the legal standard of care open themselves up to malpractice and administrative actions and, in some cases, an accusation of contributing to the wrongful death of the client or others. Based on the standard of care founded in California law, case law, and professional ethical standards, the author defines "reasonable and careful" care and provides strategies that assist therapists in adhering to their legal and ethical standard of care and therapeutic duty. To complete this module, readers access online content that incorporates two web-based video clips, two case vignettes, and related resources. To print a certificate of completion, the online posttest must be passed with a score of 80% or better.

Target Audience

The two-part series can be used toward the mandated pre-license requirement for 12 hours of California law and ethics.

The two-part series can be used toward the ongoing CE requirement for six hours of training in law and ethics.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, readers will be able to do the following:

• Define high-risk behaviors and crisis issues and identify the major challenges in managing these situations.
• Define “reasonable and careful” decision-making and actions.
• Identify strategies for ensuring assessment protocols that meet the standard of care, including, but not limited to, demonstrating the scope of competence to handle high-risk behaviors, assessing the client’s competence, and assessing for psychosocial stressors and other risk factors.
• Identify strategies that ensure culturally sensitive assessments and treatment.
• Identify strategies that ensure that documentation meets the standard of care, including, but not limited to, obtaining adequate intake information, obtaining adequate informed consent, using the Mental Status Exam and/or Beck Depression Inventory, making a diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and creating a treatment plan.
• Identify special considerations in documenting legal and ethical challenges.