Not sure what to do when a client offers you a gift, or when you want to give one? Understanding gift-giving is part of keeping ethical boundaries in practice. The webinar describes how common and what kind client gifts are in counseling, the ethical and therapeutic questions involved, a framework for classifying and assessing gift behavior, and general tips for responding. Attendees discuss case studies with colleagues, learn to spot ethical issues around gifts and see why key considerations matter for sound decisions on this boundary.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Identify ethical and therapeutic issues of gift giving and receiving in mental health practice.
- Explain at least three key ethical and practice considerations around gift giving in practice.
- Discover and consider variables related to culture, therapeutic relationships, and countertransference as they relate to gifts.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Identify ethical and therapeutic issues of gift giving and receiving in mental health practice.
- Case study Cleo
- Themes of gifts in therapy
- Meaning of gifts
Objective #2: Explain at least three key ethical and practice considerations around gift giving in practice.
- Chat time: key reflection questions for the audience
- Ethical Perspectives
- Dr. Ofer Zur video: Gifts in Psychotherapy
- Gift giving: ethical considerations
- Informed consent
- Unethical gift giving to clients
- Transparency, documentation
Objective #3: Discover and consider variables related to culture, therapeutic relationships, and countertransference as they relate to gifts.
- Case study: cultural influences in client gift giving
- Small research study review by Knox
- Key considerations
- Declining gifts scripts
- Special considerations
- A problematic gift event
- Case study: Jordan and Counselor Beth
- Helpful resources, Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Cultural Competency/Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 hours of Cultural Competency/Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW
Recording Date: April 3, 2025
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 2hrs Ethics 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.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com