Ethical Principles in the Practice of Virginia Mental Health Professionals by Allan M. Tepper

Many continuing education ethics programs are generic in nature. Many continuing education ethics programs stress risk management strategies to the detriment of the attendees, especially if an attorney presenter is involved.

This program is different. Rather than avoiding clinical issues, this program explores the manner by which clinical and ethical issues effect the everyday practice of the mental health professional in Virginia. This unique blend of clinical and ethical concerns allows for a more meaningful understanding and interpretation of the rules that govern mental health practice.

These goals are reached through the experience and the interactive style of the presenter, Allan M. Tepper, J.D., Psy.D. Different from other individuals who possess joint degrees in psychology and law, Dr. Tepper actually maintains an active psychology practice and an active law practice. He functions as a clinician, and he represents mental health professionals who experience legal difficulties. In this regard, Dr. Tepper brings an extremely unique perspective to the practical understanding of ethics.

These goals also are reached through the manual utilized in the seminar. The manual materials are not generic in nature. All of the written materials are state specific to Virginia.

When interacting with an attorney, it sometimes is difficult to hear the words, “Trust me.” For this seminar, however, we do say, “Trust us!!” We guarantee, you won’t walk away disappointed.

Understanding the Legal System

• Statutes
• Rules and regulations
• Case law
• Finding the law

Legal Exposure

• Criminal liability
• Civil liability
• Licensing complaints
• Organization complaints

Establish the Treatment Relationship

• The professional relationship
• The legal and ethical principle of informed consent
• Informed consent as part of the treatment modality
• Use of and reliance upon written consent forms

Record Keeping Practices

• Record keeping regulations
• Items which constitute the record, personal notes vs. charting, raw data, computer printouts and third party records
• Access to records by written requests, subpoenas and court orders

The Ethics of Duty to Warn

• Duty to warn potential third-party victims
• Review of specific Virginia case law governing danger to others
• A clinical approach to the duty to protect

Treatment of Minors

• Age of majority
• Consent to treatment and access to records
• Clinical implications in the treatment of the older adolescent
• Treatment of minors in situations of family separation and divorce

Non-Sexual Boundary Violations

• Email correspondence and cell phone contacts
• Treatment vs. advocacy for patients
• Professional contacts with attorneys and the legal profession
• In-court expert testimony

More information about Medical:

Medicine is the science and practice of establishing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.
Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences, biomedical research, genetics, and medical technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury and disease,
typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints and traction, medical devices, biologics, and ionizing radiation, amongst others.

Medicine has been around for thousands of years, during most of which it was an art (an area of skill and knowledge) frequently having connections to the religious and
philosophical beliefs of local culture. For example, a medicine man would apply herbs and say prayers for healing, or an ancient philosopher and physician would apply bloodletting according to the theories of humorism.
In recent centuries, since the advent of modern science, most medicine has become a combination of art and science (both basic and applied, under the umbrella of medical science).
While stitching technique for sutures is an art learned through practice, the knowledge of what happens at the cellular and molecular level in the tissues being stitched arises through science.