The Ethics of Interrupting Racism and Recognizing Privilege for Therapists

Mental health providers are seeing an increase in calls for social justice, activism, and cultural competency. Many counseling job descriptions include a diversity statement and most graduate programs are moving towards including numerous diversity classes or considerations of non-white cultures in the curriculum.  

In this 2-hour continuing education web conference, Matt Goldenberg, PsyD will discuss how these issues apply to clinicians who are already in practice. For instance, clinicians may wonder when the right time is, ethically and therapeutically, for them to bring topics into therapy that may seem politically or culturally motivated. 

Dr. Goldenberg will discuss how clinicians can challenge a client who seems to be acting with unchecked racial bias. He will also discuss how clinicians can identify their own privilege and become more aware of how this impacts their worldview of acceptable or normative behaviors.

This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Analyze ethical codes for licensure relevant to discussing personal values with clients.
2. Prepare questions they should ask themselves before challenging a client on sensitive topics.
3. Recognize what the definition of ‘duty to protect’ can mean in a racially diverse community.
4. Summarize terminology of privilege and intersectionality with emphasis on clinical considerations.
5. Discuss how a clinician’s stance of neutrality can limit or expand the therapeutic relationship.

Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: The contents of this program are based primarily on publications from the American Psychological Association, and on the ethics codes of these professional organizations: ACA and APA. Contents are also guided by statements from leadership in those organizations including contributors like Derald Wing Sue and Pamela Hays. Some interpretation and analysis presented is made by the presenter, in consultation with knowledgeable colleagues and expert consultants. Statements about applications to multi-culturally competent counseling practices are according to presenter’s understanding of diversity and equity within mental health at the time of the program. The presenter will also refer to non-peer reviewed sources such as the work of Ijeoma Oluo, Robin D'Angelo, and Michelle Alexander whose research and theory has informed this program. This program discusses strategies for successfully discussing racial bias within the counseling context and identifying which ethical codes should be considered while approaching racial and cultural topics. This presentation is theoretical in basis and does not present any known risks.

Declaration of conflicts of interest and commercial support: None.

If you have any questions about this continuing education web conference, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. GoodTherapy.org received APA approval in May 2011. This homestudy course is cosponsored by Person Centered Techn, LLC. Person Centered Tech, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Person Centered Tech, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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