Course Syllabus

 

Course Title: Law, Ethics, and Reporting Law

PDF of this syllabus

COURSE #: MCP-2053 LAW, ETHICS and REPORTING (4.5 units)

QUARTER/TERM OFFERED: Winter 2016

 

Time of Class

Monday's, 10-4pm PST @ Sofia University Campus in Palo Alto. This is a 4.5 unit class, totaling 45 hours of instruction, consolidated and taught over a 10-week quarter. There are (8) class meetings total due to the fact that there are (2) Monday holidays during the quarter and 9 hours of instruction will be made up outside the class as follows: 1) The class time for each Monday has been extended to accommodate for 4.5 hours of instruction. 2) The additional 4.5 hours will be made-up in the out of class assignments consisting of assigned readings, writing response papers for assigned ethical dilemma's from the textbook, a take-home midterm and preparation for a presentations towards the end of the quarter.

 

Instructor

Name: Jennifer Crane, LMFT

Phone Number: 408-219-5213

Email: Jennifer.crane@sofia.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Mondays before or after class or by phone appt.

 

Instructor's Philosophy of Teaching

I am very passionate about educating students on the many legal and ethical requirements that go hand in hand in a career as an LMFT and/or LPCC. Our scope of competence as professionals relies heavily on both our ability to know these requirements and how to apply them in our work with clients. It is my goal for each graduate student to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them legally and ethically, so they will be prepared for the BBS exams and practical application of these concepts into their student practicums, internships and licensed professional capacities.

 

My classes are taught in the multi-intelligence modality of learning. I use audio, visual, class discussion, experiential, didactic, student presentations, my personal experience of success and learning from failure and guest speakers to make the material as currently relevant and alive as possible. I also believe that diversity extends far beyond cultural considerations and includes, but is not limited to age, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, level of education, race, ethnicity, access to healthcare and mental health services, cultural identity, ability, spirituality, etc. Although I am in the role as professor in the classroom, I believe that the exchange of information and learning between students and the instructor goes both ways and is imperative for everyone to get the most out of this class.

 

Readings, in class discussions and responses, written assignments, role plays and exams will begin to facilitate the student’s ability to apply legal and ethical principles to realistic clinical situations.

 

Prerequisites and Priority Registration

The following courses are required in order to take this course: A course in theory and practice of psychotherapy, such as Counseling Principles and Practices, Systems Theory and Applications, or equivalent.

 

Priority Registration:Low Residency MACP, Year 1

Course is: Closed

Requires Permission of Program Chair/Director (or designate): Yes

 

Fulfillment of Program Requirements

This course fulfills requirements in other programs, as follows: Completion of course be substituted for Law and Ethics and Reporting Laws in other programs with approval of program chair/director or designate.

 

Course Description

This course provides a professional orientation to ethics and to laws in marriage and family therapy and in counseling. This course will review national ethical codes from the MFT and PCC professions along with legal requirements. Licensing laws, regulations delineating scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, confidentiality, danger, and treatment of minors both with and without parental consent will be addressed. The relationship between the practitioner’s sense of self and human values, ethical and spiritual mandates, relationship with and responsibilities to other providers and legal entities will be explored. Further, advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barrier that impede access, equality, and success for clients will be examined. Differences in legal and ethical standards in different work settings (private practice, public practice, collaboration, team-based, institutional, etc.) will be discussed. Assessment of abuse and the mandatory reporting laws for child, spousal, and elder abuse will be covered.  Requires enrollment in MACP or Approval of MACP Program Chair. Single-course students (licensed clinicians or interns) may be admitted with approval of the MACP Program Chair.

 

Course Aims and How They Relate to the Learning Objectives [*]

This class investigates the legal and ethical issues pertinent to the field of professional counseling and psychotherapy. While exploring critical thinking methodologies and personal values in relation to ethical decision-making and legal mandates. Students will be encouraged to develop an individualized approach to resolving ethical dilemmas faced in their professional work.

 

This class familiarizes students with ethical obligations to the profession under the codes of the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists, CAMFT the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), as well as introducing them to other relevant ethics codes. The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics establishes a standard of care that explicitly requires practitioners to use an ethical decision-making model and document factors considered in ethical decisions.

This course is taught in California; therefore, the legal matters discussed in the course will reflect current California state law. Because California law regarding psychotherapy is very comprehensive and sometimes addresses issues of practice for which other jurisdictions do not have laws, an understanding of it can be useful in many applications. Furthermore, California law is used in class as an example of how legal and ethical principles interact in therapeutic decision-making, and this is a skill that can be used with laws from other jurisdictions. Nevertheless, it does not necessarily translate directly to laws of other jurisdictions. Students are expected to become conversant with the psychotherapy-related legislation of the state and local jurisdiction in which they will practice.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Foster sensitivity to legal and ethical issues related to professional counseling, psychotherapy and therapeutic processes.
• Develop an awareness of one’s own physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual values and standards and how it may impact one's desire and obligations to act legally and/or ethically.
• Understand how diversity issues impact ethical and legal concepts.

• Acquire knowledge of the California laws intrinsically linked to the practice of psychotherapy, including where and how and when to apply them.
• Develop ability to recognize and assess situations involving risk, including assessment of child, elder, dependent adult and spousal abuse.
• Develop understanding of the application of legal and ethical principles to decide whether, when and how to break confidentiality,
• Develop ability to embrace tolerance of ambiguity in ethical decision-making.
• Develop ability to apply a legal and ethical considerations to a variety of clinical vignettes and role-plays throughout the class.
• Understand how to maintain integrity both ethically and legally in the administrative/business development and maintenance aspects of the LPCC and MFT professions.

 

Evidence and Criteria for Evaluation[*]

See Rubric at the end of syllabus for specific evaluation criteria.

 

Transpersonal Systems Theory

This course will explore the ethical and legal aspects of having a transpersonal theoretical orientation as a professional. Specifically, students will have a clear understanding of how transpersonalism factors into one’s scope of competence, counselor values, how it might show up as countertransference, informed consent, clinical supervision, and how to legally and ethically market and advertise for a transpersonal therapy business. Furthermore, clarity will be provided regarding situations where ethical and legal requirements may override a transpersonal stance.  

Creative Expression/Expressive Arts

Guided visualization, poetry, movement, role-play and visual arts will be used throughout the class for transition and assistance in integration of legal and ethical topics.

 

Individual And Cultural Differences

This course is intended to be inclusive of multiple viewpoints that reflect and honor the voices of people with a variety of individual and cultural differences, including but not limited to differences related to gender, age, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, physical/mental ability, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. The instructor will honor and respect multiple viewpoints expressed within class discussions and included in a scholarly manner in course assignments.This course specifically incorporates individual and cultural differences in the following ways:

• The personal response paper assignments allow students to individualize their ethical stance on various course topics and share their opinions and views with the class.
• The presentation assignment allows students to select issues and topics of their choice they want to learn more about or may feel triggered by. Thus, they will get a chance to practice the experience of it in the containment, guidance and learning forum of the course.
• In class role-plays, lectures, multi-media, case studies and clinical vignettes centered around ethical and legal concepts will focus on several diversity and cultural topics and provide students with a hands on experience of practicing and integrating them.
• Textbook, reader and supplemental reading will address several cultural and diversity dilemmas and issues in the realm of legal and ethical concepts in the counseling profession.
• The midterm and final exams will include true/false, multiple choice answer, short answer and vignette questions that will test the student's ability to apply cultural and diversity competence as presented in the course.

 

Course Reading[*]

Required Reading - The following materials are required:

1. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, The (2014). Board-approved

revised code of ethics: Effective January 1, 2015. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Free via http://www.aamft.org. ("AAMFT Code")

A copy will be provided in the online course environment.

 

2. American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics: As approved by the ACA Governing Council. Alexandria, VA: Author. ("ACA Code")

Free; search for "Ethics" at http://www!.counseling.org/.

A copy will be provided in the online course environment.

 

3. All course “Reader” materials will be posted in Canvas and assigned corresponding to

the topics we will be discussing each week.

 

4. Corey, G., Corey, M.S., Corey, C, & Callanan, P. (2015). Issues and ethics in the helping profession: 9th edition. Cengage Learning.

ISBN-13: 978-1-305-38945-8 (Amazon.com $80 for used copies, $60 to rent.)

5. Caldwell, B.E.(2015). Basics of California law for LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs.

3rd edition. Los Angeles, CA: Author.

ISBN-13: 978-0988875951 (Amazon.com $80 new, and same price on Author’s

website: http://www.bencaldwell.com/products/basics-of-california-law-for-lmfts-lpccs-and-lcsws-third-edition-2015-paperback

 

Optional Reading:

1.  Pope, K.S., Sonne, J.L., & Greene, B. (2006). What therapists don’t talk about and why:

understanding taboos that hurt us and our clients. American Psychological Association

(APA), Washington, D.C. ISBN-13: 978-1591474012

 

2.  American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, The (2007). Legal

guidelines for family therapists with selected ethical opinions. Alexandria,VA:

ISBN - 978-1-931-846-11-0 (Amazon.com $44 used copies available, $22

used).

 

Recommended Reading:

For all students:

The code of ethics for your planned license (e.g. LMFT, LPCC) according to the professional organization for your planned license in your region.

 

For students in California:

Board of Behavioral Sciences of California. Statutes and regulations relating to the practice of: Professional Clinical Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Educational Psychology, Clinical Social Work. Department of Consumer Affairs: Sacramento, CA. Available online at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lawsregs.pdf.

 

For students outside California:

A legal summary of law that applies to your planned license in your jurisdiction, if available.

Style guides referred to in this syllabus:

American Psychological Association (APA) (2010). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological

Association. ISBN 1433805618 (paper) or 1433805596 (hardcover).

 

Haefner, Carol (2012). Sofia writing & style handbook: updated and revised to correspond to the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Palo Alto, CA: Sofia University. Free. Available through the Sofia registration portal.

 

Sofia University (2012) . Handbook for specialization in creative expression (revised 2011-2012). Palo Alto, CA: Sofia University. Free. Available through the Sofia registration portal.

Method of Instruction (class format subject to change)

Didactic: 20%

Lecture & Discussion: 40%

Experiential: 30%

 

Assignments [*]

Assignment # 1 – (4) 2-3 page Ethical Response Papers:

There will be (4) 2-3 page ethical response papers, throughout the quarter, due at the beginning of class. You will be responding to cases with prompt questions assigned from your textbook. Please use APA format for all written work.

 

Response Paper A, Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Issues, due on Jan 25th.

Respond to “The Case of Cynthia”, Ch 4, pg 117, answer all 4 prompt questions:

 

Response Paper B, Clients Rights and Counselor Responsibilities, due on Feb 1st.

Respond to “The Case of Kieran”, Ch 5, pg 159, answer all 3 prompt questions:

 

Response Paper C, Ethical Issues in Supervision, due Feb 29th.

Respond to “The Case of Melinda”, Ch 9, pg 349, answer all 5 prompt questions.

 

Response Paper D, Ethical Issues in Couples and Family Therapy, due March 7th.

Respond to “The Case of Marge and Al, Ch 11, pg 419, answer all 3 prompt questions.

 

Assignment #2 - Take home Midterm:

There will be a take home midterm, made up comprised of true/false, multiple choice and short answer questions that will test your ability to understand and conceptualize class concepts, through Week 5. The midterm will be handed out at the end of class, on Monday, February 8th and due 2 weeks later, beginning of class, on Monday, February 22nd. We will review the midterm in class.

 

Assignment #3 - Class Presentations on Legal/Ethical topics of interest on 2/29 and 3/7:

Work in dyads or triad's, assigned on the first day of class, and come up with a :30-:45 min role play(s) that contain the following.

1. Incorporate two or three legal or ethical issue(s) that arise as a result of working together as therapist and the decided unit of treatment.
2. Role play the issues as they come up and how the therapist handles it. Create a situation where the therapist doesn't handle it very well.
3. Then, role play the most ideal legal and ethical responses and model that for the class
4. Included in the :30-:45min presentation, leave time for discussion re: issues the role play brought up, questions, concerns, what ifs, etc.

 

Assignment #4 - Final Exam - Taken in class on Monday, 3/14/16:

The final exam will be a comprehensive exam comprised of true/false, multiple choice and short answer questions that test your ability to understand and conceptualize class concepts throughout the entire course.

 

Class Outline:

This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced via email or in class.

 

WEEK 1, Monday, 1/11/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Why a professional Code of Ethics and Laws for the helping professions? -Ethical Decision Making -ACA, AAMFT, CAMFT -Educational Requirements -Self Assessment -Burnout/Self Care	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -CCC&C - Chapters 1&2 -Caldwell - Chapters 1&2 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas
WEEK 2, Monday, 1/18/16	NO CLASS DUE TO MLK	HOLIDAY!
WEEK 3, Monday, 1/25/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Counselor Values and their Role in your Work -Discrimination -Transference -Countertransference -Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Issues -Values and Assumptions in Therapy/Training/ including Transpersonal therapy	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -Complete the “Values Self Inventory”, CCC&C, Chapter 3, pgs 68 & 69, bring to class. -Response Paper A, due at the beginning of class -CCC&C - Chapters 3&4 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas
WEEK 4, Monday, 2/1/16	TOPICS -Informed Consent -Record Keeping -Online Counseling --HIPAA -Unethical colleagues -Malpractice -Unprofessional Conduct/ Disciplinary Process	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -Response Paper B, due at the beginning of class -CCC&C - Chapter 5 & 6 -Caldwell - Chapters 3,4 & 9 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas
Week 5, Monday, 2/8/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Confidentiality -Mandated Reporting (CPS, Dependent Adult Abuse, Elder Abuse) -Tarasoff, Duty to Warn Assessment -Suicidality, Self-Harm Assessment -Privilege -HIV/AIDS Disclosure	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -CCC&C Chapter 5 & 6 cont’d -Caldwell Chapters - 6, & 7 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas
Week 6, Monday, 2/15/16	NO CLASS DUE TO PRESIDENT’S DAY HOLIDAY!	*Catch up on the chapters, reader topics and be working on your take home midterm.
Week 7, Monday, 2/22/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Review midterm in class -Boundaries -Dual Relationships -Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex -Professional Competence -Coordination of Care with other Professionals	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -Take home midterm due at the beginning of class -CCC&C Chapters 7 & 8 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas
Week 8, Monday, 2/29/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Ethical Issues in Clinical Supervision -Issues in Theory and Practice, including Transpersonal Orientation -Begin Presentations	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -Response Paper C, due at the beginning of class -CCC&C Chapters 9 &10 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas -Presentations
Week 9, Monday, 3/7/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Ethical Issues in Couples and Family Therapy -Ethical Issues in Group Work -Spousal/Partner Abuse Assessment -Continue Presentations	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -Response Paper D, due at the beginning of class -CCC&C Chapters 11&12 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas -Presentations
Week 10, Monday, 3/14/16 On Campus, 10am-4pm Lunch 12:30-1:30pm	TOPICS -Community and Social Justice Perspectives -Insurance Billing/Fraud -Marketing and Advertising, pre and post licensure -Final Exam in class!	READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE -CCC&C Chapters 13 -Caldwell Chapter 8 -Optional articles on topics as documents and/or web pointers will be posted on Canvas -Final exam

Individual and Cultural Differences

This course is intended to be inclusive of multiple viewpoints that reflect and honor the diversity of a wide variety of individual philosophies to cultural differences, including but not limited to differences related to gender, age, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, physical/mental ability, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. The instructor will honor and respect multiple viewpoints expressed within class discussions and included in a scholarly manner in course assignments. This course specifically incorporates individual and cultural differences in the following manner:

• The written assignments invite students to reflect on and contribute from their own viewpoints, question their own assumptions, and develop understanding of their own and others' perspectives through the shared experience of reviewing written work in class with each other.

 

• Readings, lectures, discussions, audio-visual/media, role plays and case examples will convey the instructor’s and others’ experiences of working across cultures and invite discussion of when, whether, and how to apply the information taught with clients from many diverse groups.
• Ethical theories from multiple cultures will be discussed and applied to examples of therapeutic situations.
• The course textbook, reader and optional recommendations for contain culturally relevant information for how to manage clinical issues in specific situation spanning many diverse demographics.

 

Class Attendance

Attendance. Full attendance in this course is mandatory for adequate student learning. A minimum of 80% attendance is required.

 

Up to one week's absence per quarter will be allowed without consequence. In the case of a second week of absence, the instructor will require a make-up paper designed to best benefit the student's learning. Unexcused absences or any additional absences beyond the second will result in a No Pass.

 

Except in emergencies, absences must be arranged in advance via email or phone contact with the instructor. Should you have an emergency that will cause missing an entire week, contact the instructor as soon as possible by email to arrange an excused absence. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to arrange an excused absence and, if necessary, a make-up assignment.

 

Incompletes and Late Papers

Late Assignments: Late assignments are not accepted. You must submit your work before the published due dates in order to receive credit for your work. For online work, technological issues may be considered valid grounds for late assignment submission. In the event of an outage, students should contact Technical Support at helpdesk@sofia.edu.

Unless an Incomplete grade has been granted, assignments submitted after the last day of the quarter will not be accepted.

 

Incompletes: Incompletes shall be granted at the discretion of the instructor and will be considered only in an extreme circumstance. The instructor is unlikely to grant an Incomplete if your work before the extreme circumstances occurred did not meet the Proficiency standards described in “Standards for Course Assignment Evaluation.”

An Incomplete will not be automatically granted by the instructor. If you feel you may need an Incomplete, you must contact the instructor to arrange it.

If you receive an Incomplete for the quarter, all work must be submitted by the end of Week 5 of the following quarter. An Incomplete will automatically become a No Pass if work is not submitted by the due date without prior permission from the instructor. Exceptions to this policy require the approval of both the Instructor and the Program Chair.

 

Standards For Course Assignment Evaluation*

A Pass is equivalent to a "B" or better (> 82%) at a graduate level.

• Participation: Student demonstrates skill building in a cooperative learning environment through attendance, participation in class discussions, role-plays, Q&A
• and responsiveness to feedback for more participation or greater containment from the instructor and/or class.
• Attendance: see section above noted just for class attendance policy and procedures.
• Assignments: Presentation assignments are clearly presented, submitted on time, and address all questions asked in the assignment in a scholarly manner, using APA/Sofia style.
• Mastery: Students will demonstrate mastery through discussion, participation, attendance and increasing understanding of legal and ethical concepts through thoughtful, skillful and insightful application into case studies and in diverse cultural contexts, etc.

 

Insufficient Proficiency/No Pass:

Any of the following:

• Unexcused absences, less than 80% attendance
• Failure to complete make-up assignments arranged with instructor for excused absences.
• Failure to submit assignments on time without making prior arrangements for an extension.
• Failure to demonstrate cooperation and openness by responding to feedback.
• Violation of the Academic Honesty/Integrity Statement or Confidentiality policy.
• Written work or presentations fail to respond to the assigned topics, give only cursory attention to the assigned topics, are confusing or poorly written, or contain significant errors in content or in APA/Sofia style.

 

Other Information

Other information related to the syllabus can be found in the Course Syllabi/Schedules link under the Academics tab of the Sofia academic portal: https://portal.sofia.edu/ICS/Academics_2013-10-07T15-05-26-151/Course_SyllabiSchedules.jnz

This includes:

• Online Learning
• Information Literacy Requirements and Use of Sofia Library
• Writing Requirements
• Self-Disclosure
• Confidentiality
• Academic Honesty/Integrity Statement
• Harassment Statement
• Netiquette Policy
• Accommodations for a Disability
• Mid-Quarter Evaluation
• Institutional Learning Objectives
• Program Learning Objectives

 

*Changes made to this syllabus require Chair/Director approval prior to posting.