Ahhh ethics training…. Some people love building their understanding of it and some trudge through it like chewing glass. But most of us agree that ethical practice is important for facilitating effective and trusting work with our clients. This is probably why States require ethics continuing education course hours every licensure period.
But what does the latest research say about how we practice ethics? Ethics standards in mental health practice does not seem to change all that quickly. How do we know that our practices are consistent or pragmatic in our ever-changing field? Do certain new approaches violate ethical norms (e.g., treatments that have a direct effect on brain functioning)? How do we ethically navigate newer digital technologies for mental health?
Lucky for us, Concept has a good training that is meant to guide clinicians through new developments in ethical decision making.
Pros: This training boast a practical approach to help focus on real-life applications of ethical principles. An experienced practitioner and clinical professor also conducts this training. It is also sponsored by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP – the organization that “board certifies” psychologists). This typically indicates a high quality standard (although that is not always guaranteed with any CE course).
Limits: The briefer nature of the course could be a downside for clinicians looking for a the chance to knock out their required allotment of ethics CEs in one course. Additionally, the course trainer specialization in forensic psychology may bias perspective (however, many principles are still applicable to standard therapy practice).
This ethics training is a good way to get a practical guide to ethical standards for a continually evolving mental health field. Ethical standards in mental health by their nature do not always evolve at a rapid pace, but you can!
