Law and Ethics - Why Should I Care About the CAMFT Code of Ethics?

"Why Should I Care About the CAMFT Code of Ethics?"
Presenter:  Mike Griffin, JD, CAMFT Staff Attorney
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Workshop Purpose

This three-hour workshop provides a broad overview of the ethical Standards found in Part I of the CAMFT Code of Ethics. The Procedures found in Part II of the Code will be briefly described.

The workshop will discuss examples of alleged ethical violations that are reported to the Ethics Committee and offer suggestions to therapists regarding ethical practice.

Vignettes will be utilized, as appropriate, to illustrate examples of scenarios which often lead to complaints, and to suggest practices which may be helpful to therapists in avoiding ethical problems.

Attendees at this workshop who are licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional clinical counselors and licensed clinical social workers may earn a total of three hours of continuing education (CEU) credit in legal and ethical issues. Attendees who are Registered Associate marriage and family therapists, Registered Associate professional clinical counselors, and Registered Associate clinical social workers, may earn 3 hours of continuing education in legal and ethical issues, as required by the Board of Behavioral Sciences for registrants during each of their one-year registration renewal periods.

Topics to be discussed

I. What is the purpose of the Code of Ethics?

II. Who is obligated to follow the Code of Ethics?

III. What topics are addressed in the Code of Ethics?

IV. What does it mean to say that something is “unethical?”

V. How can therapists avoid ethical complaints?

Course Objectives 

Attendees at this workshop will be able to:

1. Explain what the Code of Ethics says about “Ethical Decision-Making.”
2. Utilize the Code of Ethics to locate ethical standards which concern Confidentiality; Informed Consent; Telehealth; Responsibility to the Legal System; Financial Arrangements; Advertising; Dual/Multiple Relationships, and other topics.
3.  Identify one or more ethical considerations when working with clients who are involved with the legal system.
4. Identify one or more ethical considerations when a client asks you to write a letter.