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Federico Grosso, DDS, PhD, MFT, BCFE
FGrosso.com
805-962-3628

fcgt@fgrosso.com

ADVANCED APPLICATIONS OF LAW AND ETHICS FOR CALIFORNIA DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELORS © 7th Edition (2009)

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Price: $53.00
ADVANCED APPLICATIONS OF LAW AND ETHICS FOR CALIFORNIA DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELORS 7th Edition

This workbook contains the complete legal and ethical guidelines to create a safe practice for all California drug and alcohol treatment clinicians and educators. Applicable California laws, regulations, Case law, and CCBADC/CAADE ethical standards are reviewed thoroughly. The reader's learning process is assisted with the use of vignettes, questions and answers at the end of each chapter. A comprehensive spectrum of legal and ethical issues are discussed thoroughly yet concisely. It is important to remember that CADCs/CATCs are particularly vulnerable in clinical practice: they don’t have legal recognition to hold confidentiality and they are not legally mandated reporters, except for child abuse reporting. Unfortunately, child abuse reporting doesn't provide counselors with the necessary protection against malpractice actions. This book provides the necessary structure to navigate through these challenging clinical situations.

The material is easy to read and understand by avoiding "legalese". It's written from an expert witness’ perspective addressing clinical possibilities instead of an “all-nothing” attitude. The clinician is shown how to consider possibilities and still be a safe counselor. Many California CADC/CATC academic institutions use this workbook as a teaching text. Many attorneys working in the malpractice arena also use this workbook as preparation material in legal actions.

This book is only available on this website. Current edition: 2007

Table of Contents


Introduction


Chapter 1 The Counselor’s Personal Belief System


A Personal Frame of Reference

Internal Reality and Clinical Safety

The Complexity of Making Safe Legal and Ethical Decisions

Potential Loss of Objectivity

Clinical Example # 1

Questions for Clinical Example # 1

Chapter Questions


Chapter 2 Informed Consent


   Informed Consent and Creating Counseling Safety

  Informed Consent and Case Law

  Legally-Required Elements of Informed Consent

  Ethically-Required Elements of Informed Consent

  Informing Clients of the Potential Risks and Benefits of Treatment

  Clinical Example

  Counseling Contract, Part I: The Counseling Process

  Counseling Contract, Part II: The Client’s Rights

  Counseling Contract, Part III: Fees and Length of Therapy

  Counseling Contract, Part IV: Consent for Treatment

  Counseling Contract, Part V: Office Policies

  Termination of Counseling

  Managing Termination Safely

  Reasonable and Prudent Steps to Take When Terminating Difficult and Uncooperative Clients

  Termination of Treatment and CCBADC/CAADE Ethical Standards

  Clinical Example # 1

  Questions for Clinical Example # 1

  Clinical Example # 2

  Questions for Clinical Example # 2

  Clinical Example # 3 31

  Questions for Clinical Example # 3

  Chapter Questions


Chapter 3 Confidentiality


 

Confidentiality
Danger to Self or Others
Mandated Breaches of Confidentiality
Permitted Breaches of Confidentiality
Written Releases of Information
Sample of a Release of Information Document
Group Counseling
Holding Information Policy (Secrets): The Ethical Counseling Duty and Clinical Implications
Impact of the “Holding Information Policy on Treatment and the Counseling Relationship  
Minors and Confidentiality
Minors and Privilege
Safeguarding Sensitive Clinical Information Involving Minors From Insurance Companies
Electronic Devices
The Internet
Fax Machines
Fax Warnings
Sample Fax Warnings
HIV Status
Confidentiality & “Mandated Reporting”
Making a Decision to Report or Not Report an Ethically-Mandated Breach of Confidentiality
Documenting the Decision to Report or Not Report an Ethically-Mandated Breach of Confidentiality
Potential Breaches of Confidentiality in Settings With Multiple Clinicians
Other CCBADC/CAADE Ethical Standards Related to Confidentiality
Clinical Example # 1
Questions for Clinical Example # 1  
Clinical Example # 2
Questions for Clinical Example # 2
Clinical Example # 3
Questions for Clinical Example # 3
Clinical Example # 4
Questions for Clinical Example # 4
Chapter Questions

Chapter 4 Privilege


Privilege

Evidence Code 1010-1027

Exemptions to Privilege

    Clinical Example # 1

  Questions for Clinical Example # 1

  Chapter Questions


Chapter 5 Important Legal Concepts in CADC/CATC Practice. 61

Scope of Practice 61

Scope of Practice for MFT, LCSWs, and Psychologists 62

Scope of Competence 62

CCBADC/CAADE Ethical Standards Related to Scope of Competence 63

Counseling Duty 65

Some Clinical Examples of Counseling Duty 65

Counseling Duty Regarding Assessing Appropriately 66

Counseling Duty Regarding Diagnosing Appropriately 67

Counseling Duty Regarding Treating Appropriately 67

Collaborating With Others 68

Standard of Care 69

Attending to Standard of Care in Clinical Practice 69

The Clinician’s Therapeutic Duty to Assess for Clinically Important Issues Throroughly and 

    Completely 69

Important Mental Health Case Law 70

Clinical Example # 1 75

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 76

Clinical Example # 2 76 

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 76

Chapter Questions 76


Chapter 6 Business and Professions Code as it Applies to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors  SECTIONS 4700. 79

Business and Professions Code 79


Chapter 7 Malpractice and Unprofessional Conduct 81

Malpractice 81

Unprofessional Conduct 82

The 21st Century: Being a Good Counselor Won’t Be Enough to Avoid Malpractice 82

Creating Therapeutic Safety: Learning the Hard Way 84

Mental Health Records and Lawsuits: A Direct Correlation 85

How Small Clinical Issues Become Malpractice Actions 87

A Malpractice Lawsuit Arising From a Child Abuse Report As Well As Not Making The Report 89

Clinical Example # 1 89

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 89

Clinical Example # 2 90

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 90

Chapter Questions 90


Chapter 8 The Counseling Relationship 81

      The Counseling Relationship 91

CCBADC/CAADE Ethical Guidelines Related to the Counseling Relationship 92 Creating Safety and the Counseling Relationship 93

Using the Counseling Relationship Appropriately 94

Injuring the Counseling Relationship 94

The Power Differential of the Counseling Relationship 95

Clinical Example # 1 96

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 96

Clinical Example # 2 96

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 96

Chapter Questions 97


Chapter 9 Dual Relationships 99

Dual Relationships 99

Harmful Dual Relationships 99

Friendships With Clients 100

Sexuality and Clients 101

Sexual Harassment: A Work Place Hazard for CADCs 102

Harmful Dual Relationships and Testifying For Clients 102

Clinical Example # 1 104

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 104

Clinical Example # 2 105

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 105

Chapter Questions 105


Chapter 10 Managing Crisis Issues and Creating Counseling Safety 107

The Danger For Clinicians When Facing Crisis Issues 107

The Clinician’s Scope of Competence Regarding Crisis Issues 108

Reasonable and Prudent Steps Required To Manage Crisis Issues 109

Assessing The Client’s Competence 109

Initial Assessment of the Client 109

Consultation With Past and Present Treatment Providers 110

Observable Clinical Behavior 111

Psychosocial Stressors and Environmental Problems 112

Culturally Sensitive Assessments 112

Assessing For Risk Factors 114

Establishing An Appropriate 5-Axis Diagnosis 115

The Presenting Problem 115

The Emergency “Plan of Action” To Manage Crisis Issues 117

Applicable California Laws in Managing Crisis and High Risk Issues 118

Ethical Standards and Crisis Issues 119

Breaching Confidentiality in a Safe Manner 120

Hospitalization as a Clinical Intervention 121

Post-hospitalization Risk Factors 122

Suicide — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 122

Serious Threat of Harm to An Identifiable Victim (Tarasoff Situation) — Specific Laws and Codes: 

    Managing this Issue 124

Spousal Abuse — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 125

Child Abuse — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 126

Elder/Dependent Abuse — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 127

HIV Positive Clients — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 128

Eating Disorders — Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 129

Substance Abuse/Dependence To The Degree Where the Client is a Danger to Self or Others — 

    Specific Laws and Codes: Managing This Issue 130

Documenting Intake Information 132

Documenting A Mental Status Form 132 

Sample Mental Status Form 133

Documenting a Beck Depression Inventory 133

Documenting Consultations 134

Documenting Treatment Plans for Crisis Issues 135

Generic Issues Treatment Plan 135

Documenting a 5-Axis Diagnosis 136

Documenting the Legal Challenges 137

Legal/Ethical Documentation Examples 138

Clinical Example # 1 139

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 140

Chapter Questions 140


Chapter 11 The Suicidal Client and Standard of Care 141

The Suicidal Client 141

Legal, Ethical and Clinical Standard of Care for Treating Suicidal Clients 141

Reasonable and Prudent Steps to Manage Suicidality 142

Ethically-Permitted Breaches of Confidentiality Under Evidence Code 1024 144

Clinical Example # 1 144

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 145

Chapter Questions 145


Chapter 12 The Dangerous Client — Serious Threat to Harm 147

The Dangerous Client 147

The Dangerous Client and Laws Affecting CADCs/CATCs 147

Managing “Serious Threat to Harm” 149

Clinical Example # 1 150

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 150

Chapter Questions 150


Chapter 13 Child Abuse Reporting 151

Child Abuse 151

Managing Child Abuse Reporting 152

Reporting Child Abuse Involving Adults Abused as Children 152

Employees and Child Abuse Law 153

Child Abuse Reporting and Immunity 153

The Use of Anatomically Correct Dolls to Prove Child Abuse 154

Reporting Consensual Sex Between Minors 154

Reporting Consensual Sex Between Minors and Adults 154

The Confidentiality Bind in Child Abuse Reporting 155

The Child Abuse Laws—Penal Code 11164-11174.3 156

Child Abuse Report 176

Clinical Example # 1 179

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 179

Clinical Example # 2 179

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 179

Clinical Example # 3 180

Questions for Clinical Example # 3 180

Chapter Questions 180



Chapter 14 Elder and Dependent Abuse Reporting 181

Management of Elder and Dependent Abuse 181

Elder and Dependent Abuse Reporting and Immunity 182

Recent Changes to the Elder/Dependent Abuse Laws 182

The Elder and Dependent Abuse Laws

    Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15600-15755 183

Elder/Dependent Abuse Report 206

Clinical Example # 1 209

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 209

Clinical Example # 2 209

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 209

Chapter Questions 210


Chapter 15 Treatment Records 211

Treatment Records 211

Patient Records: Ethical Standards 212

Health and Safety Code 123130 — Foundation for Content of Treatment Records 212

Patient Access to His/Her Mental Health Records 213

Appropriate Content of Mental Health Records 213

Intake Form 214

Informed Consent Form 214

Additional Informed Consent 214

Ledger Form 215

Psychometric Testing 215

Written Releases of Information 215 Five-Axis Diagnosis, Treatment Plan and Prognosis 215

Consultations and Medical Information 216

Progress Notes 217

Discharge Summary 218

Clinical Charting for Hospital Consultations 218

Sample Clinical Forms 220

Sample Intake Form 221

Sample Informed Consent Form 222

Sample Ledger Form 226

Sample Mental Status Exam Form 227

Sample Release of Information Form 228

Sample Diagnosis, Treatment Plan, and Prognosis Form 229

Sample Consultation Form 230

Sample Progress Form 231

Sample Discharge Summary 232

Chapter Questions 233


Chapter 16 Subpoenas 235

Subpoenas 235

Managing Subpoenas 235

Sample Document 1: Actual Subpoena 237

Sample Document 2: Notice to Consumer 238

Sample Document 3: Proof of Service 239

Sample Document 4: Declaration of Records Released 240

Chapter Questions 241


Chapter 17 Supervision 243

Supervision Issues 243

Scope of Competence 243

Dual Relationships With Supervisees 251

Supervisees as Employees 251

The Supervisee’s Dual Relationship With a Client Cam Impact the Clinical Supervisor 252

Clinical Example # 1 252

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 253

Clinical Example # 2 253

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 253

Chapter Questions 253


Chapter 18 Advertising 255

Advertising 255

Ethical Standards Regarding Advertising 255

Advertising by Supervisees 257

Clinical Example # 1 257

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 257

Chapter Questions 257


Chapter 19 Fees 259

Fees 259

Bartering 261

Disclosure of Fees 261

Collecting Unpaid Balances 261

Maintaining Clinical Objectivity With Third Party Payers 262

Serious Challenges Faced By Clinicians When Third Parties Pay For Services 263

Clinical Example # 1 264

Questions for Clinical Example # 1 264

Clinical Example # 2 263

Questions for Clinical Example # 2 263

Clinical Example # 3 263

Questions for Clinical Example # 3 263

Chapter Questions 263


Chapter 20 Insurance and Managed Care 267

Insurance and Confidentiality 267

Insurance Fraud 267

Appealing Adverse Utilization Review Decisions in Managed Care 268

Confidentiality and the Internet 268

Reasonable and Prudent Actions To Take Before Clients Run Out of Insurance Benefits 269

Clinical Example # 1 271

Questions to Clinical Example # 1 271

Chapter Questions 271


Chapter 21 Forensics, Telephone and Online Counseling 273

Expert Witness 273

Telephone and Online Counseling 273 Witness of Fact Versus Expert Witness 274

Clinical Example # 1 275

Questions to Clinical Example # 1 275

Chapter Questions 275


Chapter 22 Cultural Diversity 277

Counseling Duty and Cultural Diversity Example — The Mexican-American Client 277

Clinical Example # 1 279

Questions to Clinical Example # 1 279

Clinical Example # 2 279

Questions to Clinical Example # 2 279

Chapter Questions 280


Chapter 23 Treatment of Minors 281

Treatment of Minors With Parental Consent 281

Treatment of Minors Without Parental Consent 281

Treatment of Emancipated Minors 282

Treatment of Minors in Divorce Situations 282

Drug and Alcohol Counseling Treatment for Minors 282

Complete Text of the Family Law 283

Clinical Example # 1 283

Questions to Clinical Example # 1 283

Clinical Example # 2 283

Questions to Clinical Example # 2 284

Chapter Questions 284


Chapter 24       A Structure to Process Legal and Ethical Decision 285

The Clinical Structure 285

Practice Vignette 286

Legal Clinical Vignettes 287

Ethical Clinical Vignettes 291


Chapter 25 Accessing California Law Through the Internet 293


Appendix Answer Key 295

Answers to Chapter Questions 295

Answers to Clinical Vignettes 305

Answers to Ethical Vignettes 312


References 315

Index 319