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The Dance with Boundaries: Understanding the Top Ethical Challenges in Clinical Practice

Feb. 21, 2026

10:00 AM - 1:15 PM (EST)

Virtual Event
3 CE Ethics Credits
How Do Ethical Boundaries Begin to Blur in Clinical Practice?
This training explores common boundary challenges, confidentiality risks, power dynamics, and supervision ethics—while offering practical strategies to strengthen ethical decision-making and professional integrity.This course fulfills the NYS requirement for mental health professionals to complete three hours of training on maintaining professional boundaries. It is not specific to New York State and can also meet other states’ ethics, boundaries, and general CE requirements.

Ethical boundaries go beyond professional standards and expectations; they are a reflection of a clinician’s and supervisor’s continuous commitment to ethical standards, accountability, and the protection of those entrusted to their care. This session will highlight the most prevalent ethical boundary challenges in clinical practice, confidentiality risks, cultural considerations, power differentials, and the existing ethical demands of supervision. Emphasis is placed on the shared responsibility clinicians and supervisors hold in upholding ethical standards across practice settings. Participants will examine how boundary strain, burnout, and role overload can impact ethical judgment. Participants will leave with practical strategies to strengthen their ethical decision-making skills, professional boundaries, and ability to sustain ethical integrity in both clinical and supervisory roles.

This course fulfills the NYS requirement for mental health professionals to complete three hours of training on maintaining professional boundaries. It is not specific to New York State and can also meet other states’ ethics, boundaries, and general CE requirements.

Session Highlights
  • Examine complex ethical boundary challenges impacting clinical and supervisory practice, including confidentiality vulnerabilities, power dynamics, and dual-role considerations.
  • Identify how burnout, role overload, and systemic pressures contribute to boundary erosion and ethical drift across practice settings.
  • Strengthen ethical decision-making skills through practical frameworks that support accountability, clarity, and professional judgment.
  •  Explore the shared ethical responsibility of clinicians and supervisors in modeling, monitoring, and sustaining ethical standards.
  • Apply actionable strategies to reinforce professional boundaries and maintain ethical integrity in both clinical care and supervision.

This live interactive webinar is designed for behavioral health professionals, including:

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychotherapists
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Psychologists
• Substance Use Disorders Counselors
• Case Managers
• Physicians
• Other Mental Health Professionals

Sharon J. Lawrence, EdD, LCSW-C

Sharon J. Lawrence is the Founder, Owner and Lead Therapist of Selah Wellness & Therapeutic Services, LLC, a virtual specialty practice in the state of Maryland serving clients in Maryland, District of Washington, Virginia, Nevada, and California. She is also the CEO of SJL Professional Services, Inc. which focuses on corporate, professional and individualized coaching, speaking and training related to ethical competence, mental health, wellness, communication, conflict resolution, DEI and leadership/staff development.

Dr. Lawrence is a Therapist for Therapists, Leaders, and Professionals (healthcare, legal, and education). Her passion is to improve the lives of clinicians, leaders, and professionals who manage the day to day responsibility of caring for others. She and her team are committed to helping couples strengthen and revive their relationships.

Dr. Lawrence is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Certified Financial Social Worker (CFSW), Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), Certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator/ Trainer, Certified Master Life Coach, a Maryland and District of Columbia Board Approved Clinical Supervisor in Social Work and credentialed as an Employee Assistance Specialist-Clinician.  She holds a Certificate in Christian Ministries from the Evangel Bible College in Maryland.  She also holds a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business; a Masters in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo; and a Doctorate of Education in Leadership from the American College of Education. She has 25 years experience in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, foster care, family court, and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Lawrence is a Best Selling Author, International Speaker, Presenter, and Trainer. She is affectionately known as the SelfCarePreneur, she champions mental health, self-care, and emotional well-being for business owners. Her expertise has shone brightly on platforms such as Good Morning Washington, Let’s Talk Live, BMore Lifestyle, WHUR, Hello Iowa! and the Boris L. Henson Foundation Can We Talk? Mental Health Conference. Her insights have been featured in esteemed media publications and podcasts, including Medium’s Authority Magazine, Yahoo! Lifestyle, Bustle, The Root, Madamnoire, GoodTherapy, ArlNow, OldPodcast, and I Am CEO Podcast. Committed to nurturing the next generation of helping professionals, Dr. Lawrence serves as an Adjunct Professor at Bowie State University (Department of Behavioral Sciences and Human Services) and Prince George’s Community College (Department of Human Services), shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

After this training, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze ethical boundary challenges faced by clinicians and supervisors, including confidentiality concerns, cultural dynamics, power differential, dual relationships, and role strain
  • Describe the role of ethical standards and decision-making models in guiding clinicians and supervisors responses to boundary and ethical dilemmas
  • Examine ways clinician and supervisor stress, burnout, and impairment risk can impact ethical judgment and professional responsibility

10:00 -10:05 am – Introduction
10:05-10:30 am – Ethics Overview
10:30-11:00 am – Ethics Overview
11:00-11:30 am – Boundary Establishment and Burnout
11:30-11:45 am – Break
11:45-12:15 pm – Managing Ethical Dilemmas
12:15-12:45 pm – Safety and Telehealth

12:45-1:05 pm – Clinician Wellness
1:05-1:15 pm – Q&A

 

Intermediate to advanced.

Registration Cost

Registration $67 | Feb. 21 | Virtual Event | 3 CE Ethics Credits | 10:00 am – 1:15 pm ET

Registration Deadline:  Feb. 21, 2026

Cancellation Policy

All registrations are non-refundable. However, you may request a full credit toward a future training if:

  • You notify us at least 72 hours prior to the event start time.
  • Credit is valid for up to 6 months from the original event date.
  • No credit will be issued for no-shows or cancellations made on the same day.
  • When you register for an event, you agree to these terms

Please email info@clinicalevents.org to request a credit or reschedule.

A total of 3 CE Ethics credits are available.

This course fulfills the NYS requirement for mental health professionals to complete three hours of training on maintaining professional boundaries. It is not specific to New York State and can also meet other states’ ethics, boundaries, and general CE requirements.

Additional Approvals Pending.


ASWB ACE

Clinical Events, LLC, (provider # 2201) is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 11/01/2025 – 11/01/2028.

NBCC

Clinical Events, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved   Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7643 Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Clinical Events, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC

This course has been approved by Clinical Events, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #320899, Clinical Events is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

NY State Board of Psychologists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department\\\\\\\’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0292.

NY State Board of Social Workers

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department\\\\\\\’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0828.

NY State Board of Mental Health Counselors

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department\\\\\\\’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0329.

NY State Board of Marriage & Family Therapists

Clinical Events, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department\\\\\\\’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0140.

NJ State Board of Social Workers & Professional Counselors

The New Jersey Social Work Examiners Board accepts ASWB ACE Provider credits. The New Jersey Professional Counselors Board accepts NBCC-approved CE provider credits.

All Other States Social Workers & Professional Counselors

All other states accept ASWB ACE Provider credits and NBCC-approved CE provider credits. Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their jurisdictions. States and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Florida Certification Board

Clinical Events is approved by the Florida Certification Board (FCB) to offer continuing education programs (Provider # 5527-A).

Canada Social Workers

BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, and QC accept ASWB ACE-approved provider programs to meet licensure renewal requirements.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Canada Counsellors

Clinical Events is an NBCC-approved provider.  Licensees are responsible for determining whether courses meet the CE requirements in their province. Provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for credit.

Please contact us if you would like to inquire about applicable approvals for your continuing education (CE) needs.

Each professional is responsible for understanding and meeting the specific CE requirements set by their individual licensing board or regulatory agency. We encourage you to reach out to your licensing body directly to confirm how our programs apply toward your licensure renewal.

Questions:  info@clinicalevents.org

Sharon Lawrence receives a speaking honorarium from Clinical Events, LLC. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

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