Starting out : ethics issues in beginning a practice -- Clinical practice -- Documentation and record keeping -- Dealing with third parties and protecting confidentiality -- Financial decisions -- Staff training and office policies -- Advertising and marketing -- Continuing professional development -- Leaving a practice -- Closing thoughts
Summary
Mental health professionals in private practice strive for clinical and financial success. Yet, there are myriad ethical issues and dilemmas awaiting every practitioner that serve as challenges to being successful for even the most clinically competent and savvy business persons. Some ethics issues are obvious while others are more subtle and can undermine the best intentions of practitioners who have not prepared for these challenges. Graduate training programs in the mental health professions offer courses in ethics for their students, but few offer practical training in the application of ethics