Licensed psychologists, social workers, and mental health practitioners are now required to complete continuing education course work in appropriate professional boundaries in each three-year registration period, starting April 1, 2023.
The Board of Regents approved regulations on Oct. 4, 2022, stemming from concern about the number of professional disciplinary proceedings by the state licensing boards against mental health professionals where boundaries were allegedly violated.
Impacted titles include psychologist, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, creative arts therapist, and psychoanalyst.
Licensees with registration commencing prior to April 1, 2023, do not have to complete the coursework until their next registration period.
The following course satisfies the requirements:
Sept. 14: Maintaining Professional Boundaries in Psychotherapy: This virtual workshop, from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on September 14, will discuss the ethical, professional, legal and clinical backgrounds for boundaries; discriminating between boundary crossings and violations; the establishment and maintenance of boundaries at the outset of and during psychotherapy including issues of multiple relationships, at- risk patients and social media; the challenge of vulnerable patients and therapists; and maintaining clinical creativity and flexibility within the therapeutic frame.
The potential harm and legal consequences of boundary violations will also be reviewed.
(3 approved Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Psychoanalysts, and Psychologist continuing education contact hours)
Register here by September 6.
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