Law & Ethics 2011: What Does the Law Expect of Me, Part II

David Jensen, J. D.

As a psychotherapist you have probably heard references to the "standard of care" or the "reasonably competent therapist,"but you may not have a clear understanding of how such concepts affect you on a day-to-day basis. Consequently, you may not have an accurate understanding of what the law expects of you as a psychotherapist. In this six-hour workshop, which is Part II of a multi-course series on this subject, you will learn about what the law expects of you regarding advertising, scope of competence, scope of practice, confidentiality, child abuse reporting, termination of the therapist-patient relationship, and forms of business practice.

Objectives:

1. Clarify therapists’ legal obligations as to “standard of care” and reasonable competence”.

2. Update attendees on ethical and legal obligations for child abuse reporting, termination of therapist-client relationship, and scope of practice.

3. Define requirements for advertising, competence, and forms of business practice.

Bio:

David Jensen has been Staff Attorney with CAMFT since April 2002. David graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in History. He received his law degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. As an attorney with CAMFT, he consults with members regarding legal and ethical dilemmas, and he is a regular contributor to The Therapist magazine.

David gives numerous chapter, school, and agency law & ethics presentations and has developed “What Does the Law Expect of Me?”