Exploring Ethical Obligations: Boundaries, Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

Description

The line between ethical responsibility and legal obligation isn’t always clear—but getting it wrong can cost clients their dignity and professionals their license. Clinicians must navigate difficult situations where confidentiality, mandated reporting, and boundaries intersect—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

If you've ever wrestled with what to disclose, when to report, or how close is too close, you're not alone. This course invites you to explore your ethical code more deeply so that your next tough call is grounded in clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W., is a national expert in professional ethics and mandated reporting. As a lawyer, social worker, and principal consultant at Krase Consulting, she has spent years helping clinicians, agencies, and systems understand the legal and ethical implications of their work. Her extensive writing and teaching in this area makes her uniquely equipped to guide behavioral health professionals through the complex interplay of ethics and law.

Dr. Krase’s engaging, down-to-earth style combines research, real-world case examples, and practical insights. She offers clear frameworks for ethical decision-making while honoring the values and struggles clinicians face in everyday practice. Her teaching approach is both informative and empowering, helping you think critically while reinforcing what matters most: client care.

This course covers the evolution and function of professional codes of ethics, the relationship between ethics and law, and strategies for setting and maintaining professional boundaries. It dives into the limits of client confidentiality, including the difference between confidentiality and privilege, and when breaching confidentiality is ethically or legally necessary. A special focus is given to the obligations and challenges of mandated reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect, especially in systems where racial disproportionality and trauma can complicate ethical decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigate legal and ethical tensions: Learn when your ethical duties diverge from legal mandates—and what to do when they do.

• Strengthen client trust: Gain clarity on how to maintain appropriate boundaries and handle confidentiality concerns with professionalism and sensitivity.

• Make confident decisions: Feel more prepared and informed when facing mandated reporting scenarios or ethical gray areas.

Why this course?

• Exceptional instruction: Taught by a nationally recognized ethics expert with legal and clinical expertise.

• Real-world application: Offers relevant case scenarios and guidance rooted in actual practice challenges.

• Trusted provider: Presented by the Telehealth Certification Institute, known for equipping clinicians with high-quality, applicable continuing education.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the ethical code provisions as they relate to practice with clients/patients at the micro and mezzo levels.

• Describe the limitations on the relationships with clients, as outlined in relevant ethical codes.

• Describe the expectations for keeping client information confidential in their professional practice.

Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or newer to the field, this course will deepen your understanding, protect your practice, and strengthen your confidence in handling the ethical dilemmas that matter most.

Add this valuable training to your professional development today.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 3 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W. 

Kathryn Kase, Principal Consultant with Krase Consultant, is an expert on the professional reporting of suspected child maltreatment. She has authored multiple books and articles on the subject. She has years of experience consulting with government and community based organizations to develop policy & practice standards.

“Making the Tough Call” is a project of Krase Consulting. Kathryn S. Krase is the sole proprietor of both initiatives. Both Making the Tough Call and Krase Consulting are registered entities in New York State. 

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 3 ethics continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 180 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement