PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: An understanding of ethical and legal issues is critical for behavioral health professionals.  Ethical practice is presumed for a practitioner to be performing effective therapy, supervision, research, and/or assessment. Professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers, and American Psychological Association have developed ethical guidelines for professional practice. There are also several sources of law that affect the practice of behavioral health. In addition to laws and ethical codes, there are administrative rules determined by the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners that govern behavioral health practice. Being an ethical behavioral health professional is an ongoing endeavor throughout one’s career. This program will help professionals in this field to find, manage and keep current with rules, codes and laws. This program is aimed at the intermediate skill level. 

FACULTY: Lawrence M. Sideman, Ph.D., is currently a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, The American School of Professional Psychology, in Phoenix, Arizona. He is licensed by the State of Arizona as a Psychologist, a Professional Counselor (LPC) and as an Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC).  He served over five years on the Ethics Committee of the Arizona Psychological Association and is currently the Chair of the Arizona Counselors Association Ethics Committee. Dr. Sideman has over 25 years of direct clinical experience. Among his many professional endeavors, he was instrumental in developing and overseeing practicum and internship training programs at TASC (Treatment Assessment Screening Center), an outpatient behavioral health agency, where he provided clinical supervision for doctoral level and masters level practicum and internship students while maintaining the positions of Clinical Director and Assistant Executive Director. Dr. Sideman is published in several professional journals and has presented various research papers at National Psychological Conventions. He has designed and implemented a substance abuse education/prevention program for university athletic teams and is the past Director of Training for the Arizona Psychology Training Consortium. He maintains a private practice in Phoenix and is the clinical Director of the Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office ALPHA Program. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• discuss the foundational ethical/legal professional codes, standards, statutes, rules,
  and regulations that govern clinical practice,

• ensure that the behavioral health professional’s record keeping is meeting standards of practice,

• be familiar with the role and function of AzBBHE and recent changes as related to
  the profession of behavioral health.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Social workers, licensed professional counselors, addiction therapists, and other behavioral health professionals (only for Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center staff).  

AGENDA:

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM             Registration and Sign-In

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM           Legal and Ethical Issues: The Foundation

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM         Licensure: The Basics and What’s New
                                               Record Keeping for the Behavioral Health Professional

12:00 PM                              Program Closure

CONTINUING EDUCATION: The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 3 contact hours.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded. 

[ NBCC ] -- The VA Employee Education System is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to offer continuing education accreditation for National Certified and Licensed Counselors.  We adhere to NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.  This program is approved for 3 contact hours.  Provider #5927.