Ethical Practice and Challenges


Presented and developed by Bruce Spencer, PhD, MA, LMHC, LMSW, NCC


Ethics and law continue to be a challenge in the mental health and medical profession. Unfortunately, practitioners continue to make the same judgment errors, putting their clients/patients, and selves at risk.  Practitioners tend to question legality before ethics, which in itself may lead to poor judgment.  Law and ethical practice do not always cross over.  This course is intended to challenge ethical decisions and processes, which will aid in making appropriate decisions.

In this workshop we will be discussing the most common ethical errors with a focus on the practitioner assumptions leading to the problems.  The program will include case examples which we will analyze from perspective of interpretation vs. intent of the ethics. Also included will be the opportunity for participants to discuss their personal ethical conundrums related to confidential disclosures, boundaries and legal obligations related to reporting.

Workshop objectives 

  • Learn to differentiate ethics and law
  • Identify common rationalizations
  • Learn ethical documentation guidelines
  • Learn sound ethical decision making skills. 

 Meets the Law and ethics requirement.



Continuing Education (CE) Information


6 CEs

6 Law and Ethics CEs

Cascadia Training is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.  The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.

Cascadia is also approved by the Washington State Office of Public Instruction as a "Washington State approved clock hour offering workshop."



Bruce J. Spencer, PhD, MA, LMHC, LMSW, NCC


Bruce J. Spencer, MA, PhD, LMHC, LMSW, NCC, has 42 years of experience as a clinician and administrator of inpatient mental health, and chemical dependency programs, including 10 years of independent clinical practice.  He has a doctorate in psychology and has 10 years experience as an adjunct professor of psychology. Specializing in ethical issues, he has over 1,000 hours of advanced education in ethics, a certification in Advanced Ethical Studies, and has presented ethics seminars for 36 years. He has written curricula for ethics and solution-focused treatment, published numerous articles about ethics, and has presented over 100 day-long seminars nationwide.  

Mr Spencer is licensed in Washington (LMHC), and Michigan (LMSW) as well as by the National Board of Counselors. 



Upcoming Dates and Registration


Date: Friday, June 1st, 2018
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Cost: $159.00 USD

Campus: Nile Event Center, Nile Golf Course, Mount Lake Terrace, WA
Room:     Potentate's Lounge
Map:       Directions to our campus location.
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