Description:
As of July 27th 2025, the legal framework for confidentiality in behavioral health practice will undergo a significant shift in Washington State. Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Social Workers will now be subject to the standards of RCW 70.02—Washington’s Uniform Health Care Information Act—through its incorporation into RCW 18.225.105.
This 3-hour ethics workshop is designed to prepare clinicians for this critical change. Participants will examine how the newly aligned laws alter confidentiality obligations, reshape definitions of protected information, and introduce updated rules around disclosures, client rights, and documentation practices.
Through step-by-step analysis, practical examples, and discussion, this training will equip attendees to confidently navigate the new legal landscape while upholding core ethical principles. This course is intended to meet Washington’s ethics CEU requirement.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Identify the sources of legal standards relating to confidentiality;
Understand the relationship between Washington State statutes and federal regulations with respect to client confidentiality;
Describe when disclosure of client information is required;
About the Presenter:
Eric Ström is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle,Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Registration closes: July 21, 2025
This course is approved for 3 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.
For many clinicians, patient lethality and mandatory reporting are some of the most difficult topics to navigate. In this 3 hour workshop we will examine the applicable Washington State laws and regulations regarding mandatory reporting obligations with a specific focus on how these rules apply to the delicate balance of protecting client best interest and confidentiality while still meeting the reporting obligations in behavioral health settings.
Participants will gain increased ability to implement strategies to minimize risk and to limit liability to best support their clients and patients. This course is intended to meet ethics CE requirements.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Registration closes: August 22, 2025
The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more. It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A.
Balancing the protection of client confidentiality against compliance with subpoenas and court orders can be both challenging and stress-inducing for may clinicians. An effective understanding of the legal and ethical requirements regarding confidently, subpoenas, client advocacy and in-court testimony is vital to effective clinical work and is a key part of sound professional practice. In this workshop we will examine legal and ethical standards regarding releasing client information within the legal system. We will also discuss best-practices to support effective clinical work with clients while minimizing exposure to liability. This course is intended to meet Law & Ethics CEU requirements.
Locate and describe legal and ethical standards relating to confidentiality and privilege;
Locate and describe Federal and Washington State legal standards relating to subpoenas;
Create and evaluate strategies to for in court testimony and advocacy to best support effective work with clients;
Apply best practice standards to responding to subpoenas and other court orders.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Registration closes: September 21, 2025
Expanding your clinical practice with employees can provide a range of opportunities and potential pit falls. In this workshop we will examine the legal, ethical, and practical standards regarding employment in health care. Among the topics we will discuss are, types of employment, the hiring process, employment contracts versus handbooks, wage and benefit requirements, employee termination, and Washington’s non-compete laws. This course is intended to meet ethics continuing education requirements.
Through this two-part 6 hour workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discover the guidance provided by state law, federal law, and a range of applicable ethical codes. In addition to the provided case studies and scenarios, participants are encouraged to share their own experiences, questions and thoughts.
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
Describe the key legal, ethical, and liability differences between employees and independent contractors;
Understand and describe difference between At-Will and For Cause employment;
Identify and describe Washington legal standards regarding termination of employment and non-compete agreements;
Create strategies for legal and ethical hiring processes.
Describe and apply Washington state sick leave and family care leave rules.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Registration closes: October 5, 2025
This course is approved fo 6 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
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