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Addiction Counseling and Social Services

Washington Laws and Ethics for Mental Health Professionals

Leesa M. Robertson

6 hours

Washington Laws and Ethics for Mental Health Professionals is designed to equip mental health and substance abuse professionals with essential knowledge of state-specific legal standards and ethical guidelines. Participants will explore key topics including confidentiality, mandated reporting, informed consent, dual relationships, and professional boundaries. Through practical examples, the course will provide an understanding of legal obligations and ethical considerations unique to Washington, ensuring that practitioners are well-prepared to navigate complex scenarios and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in their practice.

We will give an overview of the following Washinton Statutes and Rules:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 18.225
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 246, Chapter 809
RCW Chapter 18.130
RCW Chapter 71.05
RCW Chapter 70.02

This course will award 6 continuing education hours.

Please see the board approval box for course approvals.

Identify and comprehend the Washington-specific laws and regulations governing mental health practice in Washington, including recent legislative updates.
Explain the requirements for maintaining client confidentiality, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Demonstrate knowledge of mandated reporting laws in Washington, including the responsibilities for reporting child abuse, elder abuse, and threats of harm to self or others.
Understand the components and legal requirements of informed consent in the mental health context, ensuring clients are fully informed about treatment processes and their rights.
Recognize potential dual relationships and conflicts of interest and develop strategies to manage these situations ethically and legally.
Establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients to prevent ethical violations and ensure a therapeutic relationship.
Utilize ethical decision-making frameworks to address and resolve common ethical dilemmas encountered in mental health practice, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards.

Leesa M. Robertson, M.Ed., CAP, LMHC

Ms. Robertson, M.Ed., CAP, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She is credentialed in alcohol and other drug counseling.

Beginning her career in the hospital setting, working in admissions, on the 24-hour unit, inpatient and IOP for both adults and adolescents, she went on to supervise a group of clinicians that went into medical-surgical hospitals to assess and place patients. She went into the outpatient setting, working with adults and families. Throughout her career, Ms. Robertson has focused on training and education through presenting live and authored coursework.

Board Approvals

National Approvals

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) (ACE)

BaysideCEU.com, #1793, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. BaysideCEU.com maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 02/04/2024 – 02/04/2026.
The Association For Addiction Professionals NAADAC

Provider #81892. BaysideCEU is responsible for all aspects of programming.
The National Board For Certified Counselors NBCC

BaysideCEU has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #6098. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. BaysideCEU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Information

Relevance: This course is intended for licensed and certified professionals in Washington working with clients in the mental health and substance abuse fields.
Content Level: Intermediate
Course Format: This course is offered as a self-paced distance learning format (reading-based online activity)
System Requirements: This course is offered online. Internet connection required.
Course Completion Information: To earn continuing education credit, professionals must register and pay the fee for the course. They must read the content and demonstrate understanding by earning a minimum score of 70 percent on testing materials. The certificate of completion will be able to be downloaded after the above is completed. Refunds will be granted upon request with the withdrawal of credit for the course. For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call 866-863-4225 or email [email protected].
CEBroker Course ID: NA
Credit Hours: 6

Leesa M. Robertson

6 hours

This course is intended for licensed and certified professionals in Washington working with clients in the mental health and substance abuse fields.