Ethics Update: The Counselor’s Survival Guide to Ethical Counseling in a Politicized Era

Online via Zoom - 3 Ethics CE's

Friday, February 18th

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Description

The 2020 presidential election landed alongside a global pandemic and civil unrest connected to racial injustices, creating a trifecta of stress and potential trauma. The American Mental Health Counselors Association’s 2020 Code of Ethics calls upon clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs) to maintain objectivity (I.A.1); to take care of our own mental health so that we can be centered for our clients (I.C.1.h); to understand the role of our beliefs, values, and biases in our clinical work while seeking to better understand our clients (I.C.1.m); and to refrain from discriminating against our clients for their political beliefs (I.C.2.c). This is particularly interesting given that the counseling profession is less politically diverse than the clients we serve, with only 15-to-25 % of counselors identifying as conservative. How do we handle situations in which our clients bring politics into the therapy room? How do CMHCs advocate for sociopolitical causes on one hand while remaining objective on the other? How do respond when our own colleagues, co-workers, friends, and family members view things differently than we do? Within the context of a society that is politically polarized, how do we maintain balance and self-care so that we can be an anchoring presence for our clients? Drawing in part from studies the presenter conducted with licensed counselors across the country, this training was designed to equip you with tools to address these challenges.

Objective 1. Articulate an understanding of the political beliefs of counselors as compared to the general population and the interaction between political beliefs and ethical directives.
Objective 2. Identify and utilize a model that can help you develop more insight and empathy for people who disagree with you politically.
Objective 3. Apply productive communication strategies in conversations with people who disagree with you politically.
Objective 4. Create an election self-care plan.

Presenter

CE BROKER TRACKING #: 20-898087 This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528.  This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns.

Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID.  TRAINING FEES (members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate) Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation: $10 Member $25 Nonmember $0 Student (with membership) $5 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)