MFT690 Ethical Issues and Professional Practices in Marriage and Family Therapy (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MFT642 , MFT615 , MFT618  

Pre/Co-requisite: MFT608  
This course examines professional, legal, and ethical issues in the practice of couples and family therapy.  The AAMFT Code of Ethics, Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Rules and selected Minnesota statutes pertaining to work with children, couples, and families are studied.  Case studies are used to interpret, examine, and integrate ethical, legal (state and federal), and professional issues such as confidentiality, dual relationships, and informed consent into ongoing marriage and family therapy practice.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Recognize, articulate, and analyze what constitutes an ethical dilemma in clinical practice.
2. Understand, define, and describe the differences between the AAMFT Code of Ethics (AAMFT), MN Rules (BMFT) and MN Statutes (MN Statutes).
3. Analyze, compare, and utilize methods of ethical analysis and appropriate ethical decision-making models in resolving potential ethical dilemmas.
4. Articulate and interpret the role of power, privilege, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status in analyzing ethical dilemmas.
5. Interpret, synthesize, and apply knowledge of AAMFT Code, Minnesota BMFT Rules, and MN Statutes to clinical situations, including proper procedures in emergency situations, telehealth, and other contexts.
6. Articulate and discuss the role of professional advocacy in policy for marriage and family therapists.
7. Understand, articulate, and evaluate distinctions between ethical and legal responsibilities (both state and federal) in providing professional services.
8. Understand, define, and synthesize knowledge of the specific issues that arise from the interface of marriage and family therapy practice with medical, legal, business, religious, and educational institutions.
9. Synthesize knowledge of all of the above in order to promote professionalism and best practice(s) as a marriage and family therapist.