Ethics with Minors: An Essential Guide for Mental Health Professionals – Terry Casey

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Working with minors and their parents presents unique challenges and problems but also provides unique rewards for therapists. There is often confusion and misunderstanding about the myriad of ethical and legal issues to consider when working with minors.

This training will dive into some of these key issues and how to navigate them: 

• Vulnerability of minors & power differentials 
• Consent: Who can provide it and when 
• Special rights of older adolescents 
• Challenges of divorced parents 
• HIPAA vs FERPA 
• Boundary Social media & texting issues 
• Parental access to child’s records 
• Mandatory reporting of abuse

You will learn how to use an effective and easy-to-use decision-making model that can be used in any situation when working with minors. Vignettes are used to illustrate how to navigate challenging situations involving minors and you’ll receive additional resources to assist you beyond this training. 

1. Assess select ethical and legal issues unique to working with minors. 
2. Determine how to effectively navigate codes of ethics, laws, and licensing rules when working with minors. 
3. Utilize recommended methods for reducing risk and avoiding problems. 

Navigate Challenging Situation with Minors: How to do it! 

• The five key perspectives and how to use them 
• Consultations: Two important types 
• Essentials of how to document your decision

Boundaries and Multiple Relationships: “Thin Ice!” 

• Social media & communication policies 
• Power differentials and why they matter 
• Virtual relationships 
• Texting and messaging 
• Vignette: Ashley’s Tweets: Social media hazards 
• Vignette: Client in a Bind: Multiple Relationships

Legal Matters: Consent, Records and Reporting 

• Consent vs assent 
• Who can provide consent and when? 
• Parents’ rights 
• Special rules for older adolescents 
• Informed consent process 
• Mandatory reporting of abuse 
• Vignette: Robert’s separated parents

Strategies for Avoiding Problems and Reducing Risk 

• Establishing your role at intake 
• Keep all involved on the same page 
• Determine if HIPAA or FERPA applies 
• Obtain the parenting plan before treatment 
• Use psychotherapy notes when appropriate 
• Know state laws about minors’ rights 
• and more!