Ethics 7 and Ethics 8 - MP3 plus Transcript*

Ms. X Confesses - Mark Smaller, PhD WEBSITE

First, we hear from a mental health professional, who married her patient following a long series of boundary violations. Imagine that in one year, you have lost everything in your life. Your marriage ends in divorce, your children leave the nest, you have declared bankruptcy, your work situation ends, your closest colleague rejects you, and a sibling and a parent die. However, you keep trying to work and hold on to some of the aspects of yourself which make you “you.” Isn’t it possible that you could be vulnerable under stress like this and make some pretty big mistakes?

Overview to Sexual Misconduct - Hugh F. Johnston, MD

We’ll hear an overview about boundary violations, their causes, new findings in neurology, evolution’s role in boundaries, and how we can change a toxic work environment.



Psychodynamic Understandings - Judith Newman, LCSW

We’ll hear a psychodynamic explanation about the clinician’s experience when his “who-ness” (personal identity, needs, and vulnerabilities) interfere with his “what-ness” (professional role and the implicit trust).

Rehabilitation - Gary R. Schoener, M.Eq (hon. Psy.D)

There is a tendency to want to distance ourselves from the “bad apples” who have sexual contact with clients and to view them as the most marginal members of the profession. However, it goes against the history of our own profession to unilaterally separate those who have had romantic or sexual involvement with a client as uniquely dangerous, untreatable, and never worthy of return.

Risk Management Mania -

In this interview, we’ll hear how the topic of boundary violations is being used and misused in lawsuits against therapists.



The Inner Workings of Ethics and Licensing - Sandra Nye, J.D., M.S.W.

This interview comprises a panel discussion with a defense attorney who defends therapists before licensing board hearings, a former prosecuting attorney who brought these cases to the licensing board of his state, and a social worker who has chaired ethics hearings for his state professional association. They will share with us how these hearings proceed and what they think about during these hearings.