The Communication of Diagnosis: Ethics, Impact, and Delivery

Providing a diagnosis is a routine part of psychotherapy, yet the moment of sharing that diagnosis with a client can carry significant ethical and relational weight. For psychotherapists, diagnostic conversations are not simply about conveying clinical information—they shape meaning-making, influence self-concept, and can affect the therapeutic alliance in lasting ways. Clinicians must navigate these discussions with care, balancing honesty and accuracy with sensitivity to stigma, client autonomy, and the emotional impact of labeling.

This 1-hour continuing education training for therapists examines the ethical complexities of diagnosing and discussing diagnoses within psychotherapy practice. Using the SPIKES model as a structured framework for communicating difficult clinical information, participants will learn practical approaches for preparing for diagnostic conversations, gauging client understanding, responding to emotional reactions, and disclosing diagnoses in ways that are clear, compassionate, and clinically responsible. The emphasis is on fostering thoughtful dialogue that supports trust, informed consent, and collaborative treatment planning.

This continuing education webinar is designed to help mental health counselors:

1. Identify key ethical considerations involved in assigning and communicating health diagnoses in clinical practice.
2. Describe the components of the SPIKES model and explain how it can guide diagnostic disclosure conversations with clients.
3. Apply structured communication strategies to discuss diagnoses with clients in ways that promote understanding, minimize stigma, and maintain the therapeutic alliance.

Conflict of Interest Statement: The presenter of this training has no relevant financial or commercial conflicts of interest to disclose. This training is designed solely for educational purposes and does not promote any specific therapeutic product, service, or organization. This training presents clinical and scientific information on dyadic coping in couples facing illness, drawing from empirical research. The material is intended for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their work with couples navigating medical and emotional challenges. While research supports the effectiveness of dyadic coping interventions in improving relationship quality and emotional well-being, outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. Therapists should exercise clinical judgment in applying these concepts, as misinterpretation or misapplication could lead to unintended relational strain or emotional distress for clients. Accuracy/Utility/Risks This program presents ethically grounded, clinically informed material on communicating diagnoses in psychotherapy, drawing on established mental health ethics and the SPIKES model for delivering sensitive information. It is designed for psychotherapists and mental health professionals involved in diagnostic assessment and disclosure, and no prior SPIKES training is required. The course offers practical strategies to support clear, compassionate, and ethically responsible diagnostic conversations. While the methods presented reflect recognized best practices, no communication framework fits every clinical situation. Misapplication may lead to misunderstanding, increased distress, stigma, or strain in the therapeutic relationship, so these principles should always be used with sound clinical judgment and sensitivity to each client’s unque context.

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

How the Web Conference Works

Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email from GoodTherapy with specific instructions on how to log in to the webinar, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.

To attend the event, registered attendees will log in to the Microsoft Teams web conference center using a computer or device with internet access and/or call into the teleconference line on a phone. Attendees will be able to submit questions during the webinar via text chat in the Microsoft Teams web conference center and will be able to see the live streaming video and/or document sharing. 

At the conclusion of this event, participants will receive an email with information about how to request a CE certificate in your GoodTherapy Account. To confirm attendance, participants must enter the start code and end code announced at the beginning and end of the live presentation. Participants will also be prompted to complete an online survey evaluating the event. Participants will need to complete this online survey within six days after the event. Once completed, participants will be able to download a copy of their CE certificate right away by logging in to their GoodTherapy account.

For additional information about this event or our CE grievance procedures, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

1 CE contact hour 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.org, provider #1352, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2025 – 3/30/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 1 ethics continuing education credit.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy 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, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

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.

• Register NowPlease Login to Member's Area
• Not a Member?Click here for information on membership