Ethics & Risk Management in Telehealth: Standards for Social Work

Description

One ethical misstep in telehealth—however unintentional—can end a career, harm a client, or lead to devastating legal consequences. As telehealth reshapes behavioral healthcare, clinicians must navigate a minefield of confidentiality pitfalls, boundary risks, and shifting regulatory expectations.

This course offers you more than compliance—it delivers peace of mind by equipping you with the critical skills and protections you need to practice safely and ethically in a digital world.

Dr. Frederic G. Reamer, Ph.D., professor emeritus and national authority on social work ethics, and Robert P. Landau, J.D., a seasoned attorney who defends behavioral health professionals in malpractice cases, come together to deliver a high-impact training. Dr. Reamer chaired the task forces that created and revised the NASW Code of Ethics, and Mr. Landau has successfully defended healthcare professionals in some of the most complex litigation settings. Together, they bring unmatched insight into how ethical principles and legal standards converge in the realm of telehealth.

Their approach blends legal acumen with deep ethical analysis and real-world examples. This is not a dry policy review—it’s a compelling, scenario-driven training that helps clinicians recognize, reflect, and respond to high-risk situations with confidence and clarity.

Topics include the evolution of telehealth standards post-COVID, jurisdiction and licensure challenges, informed consent in virtual settings, HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 compliance, documentation do’s and don’ts, managing boundary crossings online, legal red flags in social media use, and how to respond to licensing board complaints or lawsuits. You’ll explore nuanced situations involving high-risk clients, interstate care, and the ethical complications of remote service delivery.

Key Takeaways:

• Master high-stakes ethical decisions: Learn to identify and navigate complex ethical dilemmas related to remote care, including boundary crossings and confidentiality breaches.

• Implement legally sound practices: Understand the standards of care and the legal implications of telehealth decisions that could lead to licensing complaints or lawsuits.

• Protect yourself and your clients: Apply actionable risk management strategies that prioritize client safety while guarding your license and professional reputation.

Why this course?

• Trusted experts: Learn from Dr. Reamer, who led the development of national ethics and technology standards, and Bob Landau, an accomplished trial lawyer with decades of healthcare defense experience.

• Designed for real-world practice: This course translates complex ethical and legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance you can implement immediately.

• Backed by a mission-driven leader: Telehealth Certification Institute is committed to helping clinicians deliver the highest quality care with confidence, clarity, and integrity.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe ethical challenges related to social workers' use of technology to serve clients remotely

• Explain prominent ethics and practice standards governing social workers' use of technology

• Describe federal and illustrative state laws that govern social workers' use of technology

• Discuss practical risk management strategies to protect clients and help prevent lawsuits and licensing board complaints

By the end of this course, you’ll walk away with more than knowledge—you’ll gain tools, language, and strategies that fortify your practice and elevate your professional judgment. We invite you to join us in raising the bar for ethical, effective telehealth care. 

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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

Instructors

About Dr. Frederic G. Reamer, Ph.D

Frederic G. Reamer is a professor in the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. With over 35 years of experience and more than 20 books and publications, Dr. Reamer is an expert in social work ethics, forensic social work and criminal justice.

Dr. Frederic Reamer's instructor information.

About Robert P. Landau, J.D.

Robert (Bob) Landau was selected for inclusion on the 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2012 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list.  He is a seasoned litigator who focuses his practice on defending hospitals, physicians, nurses, dentists, social workers, psychologists and other health care providers in malpractice lawsuits and disciplinary proceedings. He has successfully represented clients in the state and federal courts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Bob has had numerous jury trials with a significant number of defense verdicts. In addition to trying cases to juries, Bob handles any appellate issues that arise from his matters. He has appeared regularly before the Rhode Island Supreme Court and has a number of reported decisions. In those instances where a trial is not the best course of action, Bob has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution.  His presentations to mediators and arbitrators help clients resolve cases on favorable terms.

In addition to health care matters, Bob represents clients in general insurance defense litigation and has had significant commercial litigation experience.

Robert P. Landau's instructor information

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, effective 2/23/2021. 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