Legal Standards & Ethical Issues in Substance Use Counseling

This course provides a comprehensive overview of two important topics in the mental health field: Duty to Warn and Protect, and Ethical Decision Making and Ethical Theory. The first half of the course covers the legal standards regarding the duty to warn, the definition of imminent danger, and the issues between supervisors and supervisees about the duty to warn and protect. In the second half, the course delves into ethical decision-making and the most common ethical complaints against therapists. We will explore the intrapsychic theory, social interaction theory, and practical theories of ethical decision-making. By the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of therapists’ legal and ethical responsibilities.