Films allow us to see parts of ourselves reflected in characters on the screen, allowing us to see our own behaviors in a different light and possibly catch a glimpse of how others view us. In this course, Dr. Zur has attentively selected films that provide insights into what constitutes ethical practice, what is the standard of care, the difference between boundary crossings and boundary violation as well as review the topics of digital ethics and telemental health ethics.
Dr. Zur uses vignettes from popular movies and television shows to teach therapists about boundaries and ethical issues, and he does so in a manner that both highlights ambiguities and provides clarification. Additionally, scenes are discussed regarding how such behaviors can either make a client feel comfortable and help build a therapeutic alliance, or conversely, lead to distrust and betrayal.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
This course will teach the participant to:
- Describe the importance of context as it applies to the standard of care and the therapeutic relationship
- Identify the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violations
- Discuss at least 2 ethical concerns arising out of use of contemporary technologies, and telemental health
Syllabus
- Standard of Care
- Components of the standard of care
- Relationships of the standard of care & risk management
- Importance of context
- Boundary Crossing
- Gifts
- Self disclosure
- Dual relationships
- Out of Office Experience
- Others
- Boundary Violations
- By therapists
- By clients
- Powerful/Dominating Clients
- Intrusive clients
- Powerful-Dominating clients
- Digital Age
- Communicating with clients by phone, e-mail, social media or texting 24/7
- The Disinhibition Effect
- The dangerous slippery slope from texting to sexting
- Therapists’ transparency in the age of Google
- TeleMental Health
- Informed Consent
- Handling emergencies
- Verify client’s identity
- Technical and security interruption & Confidentiality
- Self-disclosure
- What is missing in tele-mental health
Ofer Zur, Ph.D.
Ofer Zur is a licensed psychologist, lecturer, and a renowned forensic expert witness and ethics consultant. In 2000 he founded the Zur Institute, an extensive online continuing education platform for mental health professionals. He was born and grew up in Tel Aviv, served as an officer and paratrooper in the Nahal, spent time on a ZIM ship, and graduated with a BA in Chemistry from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ofer moved to the US to study psychology where he graduated with a M.A and Ph.D.
As an ethicist, he has authored and co-authored 5 books, including “Boundaries in Psychotherapy” (Published by APA), and “Multiple Relationships in Psychotherapy and Counseling: Unavoidable, Common, and Mandatory Dual Relations in Therapy”, and has published over 100 articles on ethics and related topics. He has been teaching in the U.S. and abroad on topics related to ethics, critical thinking, therapeutic boundaries, the psychology of victims, gender and war. Dr. Zur is an APA Div 42 Fellow and in 2021 he received authorization from the Minnesota Supreme Court to prepare an Amicus Brief on the standard of care for psychotherapy and counseling. He is a world traveler and adventurer, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, riding motorbikes in the Himalayas and the Negev, hiking the Great Wall of China, encountering piranha fish on the Amazon river in Brazil and much more.
