March / April 2021 Volume 20, No.2

Ethical Decision Making in Unilateral Client Termination

Years ago, when I was in graduate school, there were no discussions on this subject. I don’t know if there are any now, but all of us who have practiced for any length of time have come face to face with situations where we have needed to end therapy without it being a mutual decision. [...]

Read More
September / October 2020 Volume 19, No. 5

A Boomer, Pandemics, and Ethics

At the time of this writing, May has begun, and it feels more like Corona-tide than Eastertide as I write this ethics piece. At 64 years of age, I am at the median of those whose births occurred between 1946 and 1964, the post war baby boom. In the middle of a pandemic that appears [...]

Read More
May / June 2020 Volume 19, No. 3

The 3.12(e) Violation

Case scenario: “Ines” is notified that a prior client of hers had lodged a complaint of professional misconduct to both the state, as well as to AAMFT. Subsequently, as Ines prepares for dealing with the state’s investigation, she receives notification from the AAMFT Ethics committee that her case will be held in abeyance until a [...]

Read More
May / June 2020 Volume 19, No. 3

My Best Advice for MFTs Providing Court Testimony

In the course of professional practice as a mental health professional, I have responded to many subpoenas and been questioned in the process of legal discovery numerous times. I have only provided testimony on the stand in court twice, but over the past nearly two decades, I have advised and observed untold therapists who have [...]

Read More
March / April 2020 Volume 19, No. 2

The Ethical Implications of Advertising MFT Professional Services

Technology has facilitated new ways in which clinicians can attract and connect with potential clients. Nowadays, many clinicians use social media platforms to reach potential clients. Social media advertising allows for an informal format and fast launch; however, the content of the advertisement might lead to potential ethical implications if the advertisement does not follow [...]

Read More
January / February 2020 Volume 19, No. 1

The Ethics of Teaching Ethics

A few years ago, I was asked to teach an ethics course to satisfy Washington State requirements for MFT license renewal. The state requires six hours of ethics for each renewal period. While I had always prided myself on practicing ethically, I had never even contemplated that I knew enough to teach ethics. Somehow, I [...]

Read More