In this segment of the series, we discuss key points for supervisory ethical & legal conduct to protect the welfare of the client and the supervisor’s role as gatekeepers. On occasion, supervisors will encounter a supervisee who is non-competent and may not be suitable for remaining in the field. We will discuss through case studies how to handle these types of situations as well as how to set and uphold the necessary expectations and parameters of supervision via the supervisory contract (legal). We will review anticipatory guidance topics and discuss as a group which topics are most important or those that should be added. We will also address legal and ethical issues in the internet era and Telesupervision (pros & cons).
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Determine ethical & legal conduct in the supervisee/supervisor relationship.
- Counsel Supervisees Who Do Not Meet Professional Competency Standards
- Define the Core Concepts of Intellectual vs Emotional Competence
- Determine the Ethical Telesupervision – Pitfalls, Pros & Cons, and Ethics
- Develop and implement Anticipatory Guidance Topics for Supervisee Development
Social workers completing this course will receive 3 Clinical recorded distance learning asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Ethics, Clinical, and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Format: This course is a recorded asynchronous distance learning course delivery with downloadable presentation slides and, if applicable, course supplemental handouts. The learner is required to complete an evaluation assessing the applicability of the course to meet their learning and development needs, and pass a quiz based on course content with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test as needed until a satisfactory score is achieved. Once the learner has completed the evaluation and successfully passed the quiz, they will be able to return to their account dashboard and view/download their certificate.
Target Audience: Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists.
For all other questions not addressed, please visit our FAQs page.
Course Syllabus:
I. Legal, Ethical, & Regulatory Competence in Supervision
- Overview of ethical and legal conduct in supervisory relationships
- Supervisory standards based on COE and professional guidelines
- Documentation and supervision contracts
- Role as gatekeepers to the profession
II. Core Ethical Responsibilities in Supervision
- Ten essential activities for ethical supervision
- Major ethical issues: competence, due process, informed consent, dual relationships
- Case examples and ethical dilemmas
- Distinction between legal and ethical supervision
- Ethical decision-making model and its application
III. Supervisory Competence
- Elements: training, credentials, clinical experience, cultural competence
- Ethical codes on boundaries of competence (APA, ACA, NASW)
- Issues of multiple/dual relationships and their risks
- Informed consent processes and documentation elements
IV. Addressing Non-Competent Supervisees
- Supervisor obligations to client and profession
- Evaluation and remediation plans
- Written documentation of competence issues and improvement steps
- Ethical action and fair remediation processes
V. Intellectual vs Emotional Competence
- Definitions and contrast between intellectual and emotional competence
- Importance of interpersonal connection in supervision
- Emotional self-awareness and managing burnout
- Influence of personal, social, cultural, and political factors
VI. Telesupervision: Ethics, Pitfalls, & Best Practices
- Legal and regulatory frameworks for telesupervision
- Benefits and limitations of remote supervision models
- Competency with technology and confidentiality standards
- Maintaining supervisory effectiveness and in-person balance
VII. Anticipatory Guidance in Supervision
- Definition and goals of anticipatory guidance
- Preparing supervisees for foreseeable challenges
- Use with novice (Level 1) supervisees
- Sample guidance topics: cultural competence, suicide risk, dual relationships, crisis handling
VIII. Ethical & Legal Considerations for High-Risk Situations
- Supervisor’s role in preparing supervisees for client suicide and violence
- Emotional impacts on supervisees and supervisors
- Managing boundary crossings vs violations
- Legal risks in internet searches and client supervision
IX. Power and Due Process in Supervision
- Navigating the power differential ethically
- Communicating supervisee rights and appeal processes
- Ensuring informed, transparent, and fair supervision
X. Final Reflections
- Summary of critical takeaways on competence and ethics
- Emphasis on proactive, mindful, and legally sound supervisory practices
- Evaluation and continuous improvement encouragement
Recording Date: 2/26/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, 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: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com