The Ethics of Duty to Warn

Encountering a homicidal client poses a significant challenge for clinicians, requiring them to carefully balance client confidentiality with the duty to protect potential victims. "Duty to warn" refers to the legal and ethical obligation of mental health professionals to inform potential victims when their client poses a credible threat of harm to them or others. This duty stems from the principle that the safety of individuals takes precedence over confidentiality. 
  • Teacher
    Diane Bigler
  • CE Hours
    2
  • Study time
    4 hours
  • Certification
    Yes
  • Cost
    $23.99
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Requirements
Instructor

About This Course

"Duty to warn" refers to the legal and ethical obligation of mental health professionals to inform potential victims when their client poses a credible threat of harm to them or others. This duty stems from the principle that the safety of individuals takes precedence over confidentiality. If a therapist assesses that their client presents a serious risk of harm, particularly in cases involving threats of violence or harm towards specific individuals, they are typically required to take steps to warn those potential victims or to take other appropriate actions to mitigate the risk. The specifics of duty to warn laws can vary by jurisdiction, but in general, mental health professionals are expected to act in accordance with their duty to protect public safety while also respecting the privacy and confidentiality of their clients to the extent possible. In this asynchronous course we dive into the ethical principles and legal considerations surrounding confidentiality rights and limitations when working with homicidal clients. Participants will gain valuable insights into assessment and protocol tools for effectively managing these challenging cases, while also exploring key considerations to avoid ethical and legal missteps.

Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6912. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Duty to Warn Protocol
    Learn how to effectively apply ethics and laws to resolve complex ethical responsibilities surrounding the duty to warn, ensuring client and public safety.
  • Navigating Reporting Guidelines
    Identify appropriate methods for gathering information related to suspected cases of maltreatment and adhere to recommended reporting guidelines. Learn to navigate the complexities of reporting obligations and make informed decisions in challenging situations.
  • Confidence Building
    Gain the confidence to appropriately manage client and public safety issues in an ethical and legal manner, while upholding professional standards and obligations.

Requirements

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. 

In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

Instructor

Diane Bigler
LCSW, LSCSW - Mental Health Advocate &  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Diane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology, social work and mental health. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, for over 10 years. She obtained her master's degree in Social Work from KU in 2006, with clinical concentrations in Children & Families and Mental Health. Diane taught classes in the Clinical Master's program, which included: Clinical Social Work Practice, Loss and Grief, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Family Therapy, Advanced Standing Practice, and Mental Health & Psychopathology. Diane was also a practicum Field Instructor, Field Liaison and Community Education trainer for the School of Social Welfare. Diane has facilitated hundreds of trainings to mental health professionals, physicians and nurses, teachers, police officers, business personnel, and local City Council members. Diane enjoys the creativity that comes with envisioning and designing trainings, and aims to provide trainings that are informative, engaging and skill-building. She has customized and facilitated leadership and corporate trainings to EAP clients on wellness and business topics.

FAQs

Can I get a refund?

Please reach out with any issues or concerns you're having with the platform or course. We'll do our best to resolve the issue, but always consider refund requests on a case-by-base basis. 

Will my state board accept these CEs?

Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6912. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

Can I interact with the instructor? 

CE courses are designed to be asynchronous, which means they're self-guided without live instruction. Our help team is available to answer any course-related questions you may have. 

How long do I have to complete the course?

You can complete the course at your own speed. If you need to take a break, you can simply log out and our platform will save your place. 

Do I get a certificate immediately?

You're able to download a certificate upon completion of the course, which includes a quiz and feedback survey. 

Are online courses HIPAA-compliant?

Any case studies included in our courses have been appropriately anonymized to be HIPAA-compliant. 

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