Fall, 2020

FT502

Wong

FT502: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN FAMILY PRACTICE. Alison G. Wong.

DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the relevant ethical and legal issues associated with professional work with families. Students will review the central role of ethical decision-making to professional life and practice, and explore the practical application of ethical principles to a variety of moral dilemmas facing the marriage and family therapist. The course emphasizes the ways in which professional codes and state laws regulate or impact the practice of marital and family therapy. The course fulfills the state of California’s educational requirements for the legal and professional practice of marital and family therapy.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students in this course will:

1. Apply a virtue approach to professional ethics and legal issues.

2. Identify common ethical dilemmas faced by Marriage and Family Therapists.

3. Apply laws and regulations guiding the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy in the State of California.

4. Apply ethical standards of the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.

5. Identify practical strategies that support ethical practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.

RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Graduates will develop the clinical and ethical competence commensurate with the expectations of post-graduate MFT internship placement.

2. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and attitudes necessary to serve effectively in diverse communities locally and globally.

3. Graduates will be prepared to serve underserved populations and to integrate in their practice and personal lives the disciplines of compassion and justice.

4. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to identify critical issues of diversity and make appropriate responses.

5. Graduates will be able to pursue careers consistent with their education.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 4 unit course will be offered in online blended modality.

REQUIRED READING:

Doherty, W. J. (1995). Soul searching: Why psychotherapy must promote moral responsibility. New York: Basic Books. ISBN-10: 046500945X, $20.00

Nouwen, H. J. M. (1979). The wounded healer. Image books. ISBN-10: 0385148038, $12.00

Wilcoxon, S. A., Remley, T. P, Gladding, S. T., & Huber, C. H. (2013). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in the practice of marriage and family therapy, Updated 5th edition. New Jersey: Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall., ISBN-10: 9780133377446, $64.60

ASSIGNMENTS:

Written assignments, discussion posts, quizzes, and a final exam.

PREREQUISITES:

Admission to MFT program or permission of instructor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

1. Meets BPC Sections 4980.36(c)(3); 4980.36(d)(2)(C),(J) for the State of CA.

2. Course addresses AAMFT Core Competencies: 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.3.8, 1.4.1, 1.5.1-3, 5.1.1-4, 6.1.1-3.

3. Students may enroll in this course for 5 units to meet licensing requirements of states that require a 5 quarter to 3 semester unit equivalency.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Yes.