INTRODUCTION
PART I. CALIFORNIA LAW AND ETHICS
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PROFESSIONS
Content of Statutes and Regulations Relating to the Practices of Clinical Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Social Work
Ethics vs. Law
Licensure of Mental Health Professionals
Confidentiality
Confidentiality and Minors
MANDATED REPORTING
Defining Child Abuse
Dimensions of the Problem of Child and Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
Signs of Elder Abuse
Good Faith Reporting
Laura’s Law
ADVERTISING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
DUTY TO PROTECT (TARASOFF AND EWING)
ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING COMPETENCE
Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
Properly Identifying Level of Competence to the Public
Seeking Consultation
Competence with Cultural/Linguistic Minorities and Non-Discrimination in Providing Services
INFORMED CONSENT
MULTIPLE OR NONSEXUAL DUAL RELATIONSHIPS
Online Relationships
Consequences to the Therapist of Boundary Violations
Physical Contact with Clients
SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS
Warning Signs of Sexual Inappropriateness
Consequences of Sexual Boundary Violations
TREATMENT TERMINATION AND CLIENT ABANDONMENT
Mental Health Parity
PART II. ISSUES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
Intimate Partner Homicide
Assessing Safety
Other Losses
REPORTING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Mandatory and Dual Arrest Policies
Advocacy
Navigating the Systems
Ethical Considerations: Confidentiality
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SAFETY PLAN
PART III. THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)
Learning Objectives
COMPONENTS OF HIPAA
Healthcare Portability
Protected Health Information
HIPAA Privacy Standards
WHO IS A “COVERED ENTITY”?
INCIDENTAL USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
PATIENT ACCESS TO RECORDS
Therapy Notes vs. the Clinical Record
Forensic Services
HIPAA SECURITY STANDARDS
PART IV. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF TELEHEALTH
COMPUTER BASICS
Computer Terminology Basics
Computer Security
TELEHEALTH TECHNOLOGY BASICS
Types of Technology
Secured vs. Unsecured Technology
Platforms
COMMON TELEHEALTH ETHICAL ENCOUNTERS
Creating an Informed Consent Form for Telehealth
BEST PRACTICES IN TELEHEALTH
Offer Orientation to the Technology Before Beginning Treatment
Video Etiquette
Video Space
Video Presentation Skills
Risks of Teletherapy
Graduate Education and Telehealth
Multicultural Considerations
RISK MANAGEMENT IN DOCUMENTING ENCOUNTERS
ETHICAL ISSUES IN TELEHEALTH WITH CHILDREN, COUPLES, AND GROUPS
Working with Children Virtually
Working with Couples and Families
Working with Groups via Telehealth
SUPERVISION VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING
STANDARDS PERTINENT TO TELEHEALTH
Practicing Across State Lines
Telehealth Training
PART V. PREVENTING MEDICAL ERRORS: BEST PRACTICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
DEFINITION OF MEDICAL ERRORS
ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
COMPETENCE
Cultural Competence
Informed Consent
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Confidentiality
Mandatory Abuse Reporting
Duty to Protect
Responding to Suicidal Risk
Failure to Detect Medical Conditions
Termination of Treatment/Financial Aspects
SUMMARY
REFERENCES