Sequence VII - Working with Couples and Families, Risk Management with the Suicidal Patient, and Legal and Ethical Issues Presented by Retirement

The times they are a changing. The continued dominance of managed care companies over third party reimbursement and the new uncertainty created by the Affordable Care Act in both the private and public sectors have increased the complexity of the legal and regulatory environment faced by psychologists. In this unpredictable environment, the need to avoid adverse disciplinary events remains an important priority and an active risk management strategy is still an essential element of professional practice. After a brief introduction describing The Trust’s Risk Management Philosophy and Strategy, this workshop will focus on three specific topic areas: working with couples and families, working with potentially suicidal clients, and the ethical and legal challenges of developing a professionally and personally appropriate retirement strategy. The workshop is applicable to psychologists working in all types of settings where health services are provided.

Instructors: Dan Taube, J.D., Ph.D.; Eric Harris, Ed.D., J.D.; Joe Scroppo, Ph.D., J.D.; Amanda Zelechoski, J.D., Ph.D., AAPP

[Note] This webinar was filmed in 2016 and may not reflect the most current information and laws regarding this topic.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss The Trust Risk Management Philosophy, including strategies for identifying high risk situations and managing professional practice risks.

• Identify strategies for managing potential conflicts in conjoint treatment with couples and families.
• Identify risk management strategies in working with children with particular emphasis on the risks associated with divorced or divorcing families.
• Identify essential risk management strategies for assessing and managing outpatient suicide risk.
• Identify “post-vention” strategies for managing risk after a patient suicide.
• Identify “self care” strategies for psychologists who have suffered the loss of a patient to suicide.
• Describe the different professional retirement pathways.
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies in planning for your own personal and professional retirement.
• Describe how to effectively and ethically close a professional practice.

Important Notice

Because this webinar is on-demand, once you are registered and have created a login account, you can view the webinar at any time in whatever time increments are most convenient. In order to download your CE certificate, receive CE credits, and become eligible for a discount on your Trust Sponsored Professional Liability Insurance policy premium, you must:

• Complete the entire webinar,
• Pass a brief exam, and,
• Complete a brief evaluation form.

You are required to achieve a passing score of 75 percent or higher. You are allowed three attempts to successfully complete the exam. If you are unsuccessful on the third attempt, you must re-purchase the course to try again.

Eligibility for Insurance Premium Discounts

• Completing one of The Trust’s Ethics and Risk Management Webinar Sequences earns 6 CE credits and eligibility to receive a 15% premium discount on Trust Sponsored Professional Liability Insurance for the next two consecutive renewal periods.
• To obtain CE discounts, download and submit CE certification for this webinar (completed within the previous 15 months) with your insurance application/renewal.
• Discounts are not applicable to Researcher/Academician or Student policies.
• Group policies become eligible for CE discounts when at least 50% of individuals insured under the group policy submit CE certification totaling the number of credits needed for a particular percentage discount.
• All applications are individually underwritten and submission of CE certification will not guarantee insurance policy issuance or renewal.

Continuing Education Credits

The Trust is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Trust maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The Trust is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0019.

Continuing Education Grievance Policy

The Trust is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The Trust will comply with all legal and ethical guidelines for non-discrimination in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of CE participants. The Trust CE Director is responsible for complying with these standards.

While the Trust strives to assure fair treatment for all participants and to anticipate problems before they occur, occasionally grievances may be filed. In cases where a participant files a written or oral grievance, the following actions are taken:

• If the grievance concerns the content of the workshop, webinar, book or the continuing education test, a Trust representative will mediate and will be the final arbitrator. If the participant requests action, the CE Director or a Trust representative will either provide a credit for a subsequent CE offering or provide a partial or full refund of the CE fee already paid.
• Actions involving a credit or a refund will require a written note documenting the grievance for record-keeping purposes. The aggrieved individual need not sign the note. If the grievance specifically concerns The Trust, the CE Director or Trust representative will attempt to arbitrate.

Direct correspondence to:

Continuing Education
The Trust
111 Rockville Pike, Suite 700
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (800) 477-1200

Email: grievances@trustinsurance.com

NOTE: This information is provided as a risk management resource and is not legal advice or an individualized personal consultation. At the time this resource was prepared, all information was as current and accurate as possible; however, regulations, laws, or prevailing professional practice standards may have changed since the posting or recording of this resource. Accordingly, it is your responsibility to confirm whether regulatory or legal issues that are relevant to you have since been updated and/or to consult with your professional advisors or legal counsel for timely guidance specific to your situation. As with all professional use of material, please explicitly cite The Trust Companies as the source if you reproduce or distribute any portion of these resources. Reproduction or distribution of this resource without the express written permission of The Trust Companies is strictly prohibited.