Ethics: From Aristotle to Generation Z Steve Franklin, MSW, LCSW SteveFranklinMSW

Ethics: From Aristotle to Generation Z

Steve Franklin, MSW, LCSW

www.SteveFranklinMSW.com

Aristotle: “Ethics”

'Chief Good' is, 'that which all things aim at,...

The knowledge of it must have great weight;

and like archers, with a mark in view, we shall be more likely

to hit upon what is right.

values determine what is

right and what is wrong, and Doing what is right or wrong

is what we mean by ethics …

to behave ethically is to behave in a manner that is

consistent with what is generally considered to be right or moral

Ethical behavior

is the bedrock of mutual trust

to behave ethically is to behave in a manner that is

consistent with what is generally considered to be right or moral

Ethical behavior

is the bedrock of mutual trust

(National Defense University for U.S. Army )

Valuesare the rules by which we

make decisions about right and wrong, should and shouldn't,

good and bad. They also tell us which are

more or less important, which is useful when we have to trade off

meeting one value over another.

Ethical Dilemmasallfreeessays.com

A Summary Of

Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T.E. (1995).

A Practitioner’S Guide To Ethical Decision Making.

Alexandria, Va: American Counseling Association

Ethical Dilemmas (1) identify the problem;(2) apply your Code of Ethics; (3) determine the nature and dimensions of

the dilemma; (4) generate potential courses of action; (5) consider the potential consequences of all

options…then determine a course of action; (6) evaluate the selected course of action;

(Three Tests)(7) implement this action.

Ethical Dilemmas(1)identify the problem

gather data; be specific and objective:

ethical? Legal?

Clinical?

Ethical Dilemmas

(2) apply your Code of Ethics

Ethical Dilemmas

(3) determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma;

conflicting values? Legal, ethical or moral obligations?

What principles apply?What is your bias

(what answer are you hoping for)?

Ethical Dilemmas

(4) generate potential courses of action;

brainstorm consultsurvey

Ethical Dilemmas

(5) consider the potential consequences

of all options and then determine a course of action

Ethical Dilemmas

(6) evaluate the selected course of action; Stadler (1986): Three tests• Test of Justice: would you treat others the same in this situation

• Test of Publicity: would want your behavior reported in the press.

• Test of Universality: would you recommend same course of action to another counselor in the same situation

Ethical Dilemmas

(Return to step 1 if solutions aren’t satisfactory)

(7) implement this action.

Document!

Media of communication and data storage

• Competency to practice

• Protection of client privacy

Vocal/person-to-person

• Human brain expanded to accommodate gossip.

• Eavesdropping (non-electronic)• Information can be shared.• Information can misremembered,

misrepresented, lied about, forgotten

Stone Tablets

• Long-lasting• Hard to shred• Hard to redact• But at least it’s “set in stone”

Paper

• Mail: Where is it delivered? Where is it picked up?• Shredding• Are files secure?• Can be copied.• Copies may fade over time• May be illegible

Fax

Invented around 1850• Who else might see a fax you receive• Who else might see a fax you send? • Do you have the right number?• No encryption involved with FAX; • hard wired transmission; some consider it more secure.• Use partial SS#/ID when practical• Efax-type (fax server)

Phone

Land line• Susceptible to being tapped• Call clients from home?• Voice mail• Extension line• *67/callbacks

Cellular Phone

• Password protected?• Would a family member ever pick

up … see text messages/caller ID?• Can be intercepted• Voice Mail

Text Messaging

• Evolving Etiquette, style• Rules elucidated • because they are broken!

• Don’t text while in a face-to-face conversation

• SMS shouldn't be used for formal communications, such as breaking up

• Don’t jump to conclusions or get offended if you don’t get a reply.

• Be aware of your tone. (You will be misconstrued.)

• Don't SMS while you're driving.

• Leave the slang to the kids. • Remember that SMS can be traced.• Be conscientious of others' schedules. • If it's immediate, make a voice call. • Remember that your phone does have

an off button. • +• Make sure you have the right address!• DON’T WRITE IN ALL CAPITALS

Abbreviations

• A3 Anytime, anywhere, anyplaceAAF As a matter of factAAK Asleep at keyboardAAMOI As a matter of interestAAP Always a pleasureAAR At any rateAAS Alive and smilingACK AcknowledgeADD AddressADN Any day nowADR AddressAEAP As early as possible

• AFAIK As far as I knowAFK Away from keyboardAFPOE A fresh pair of eyesAIGHT AlrightAISB As it should beAKA Also known asALCON All concernedAML All my loveAOTA All of the aboveASAP As soon as possibleA/S/L Age/sex/locationASL Age/sex/locationAT At your terminalATM At the momentAWOL Away without leavingAYEC At your earliest convenienceAYOR At your own riskAYSOS Are you stupid or somethingAYTMTB And you're telling me this because

B/F BoyfriendB4 BeforeB4N Bye for nowBAK Back at keyboardBAU Business as usualBB Be backBBIAF Be back in a fewBBIAM Be back in a minuteBBIAS Be back in a secBBL Be back laterBBQ Be back quicklyBBS Be back soonBBT Be back tomorrowBC BecauseBCNU Be seein' youBCOS BecauseBF Best friend

• BDN Big damn numberBFN Bye for nowBG Big grinBGWM Be gentle with meBFG Big f***ing grinBIOYN Blow it out your noseBLNT Better luck next timeBM&Y Between me and youBOL Best of luckBPLM Big person little mindBRB Be right backBRT Be right thereBTA But then againBTDT Been there, done thatBTW By the wayCMIIW Correct me if I'm wrongCMON Come onCOB Close of businessCOS BecauseC/P Cross postCR8 CreateCRB Come right backCRBT Crying really big tearsCU See youCUA See you aroundCUL See you laterCUL8R See you laterCWYL Chat with you laterCYA See yaCYO See you onlineD/L DownloadDL DownloadDEGT Don't even go thereDIKU Do I know you?DQMOT Don't quote me on thisDTS Don't think soDV8 DeviateEBKAC Error between keyboard and chairEF4T EffortEG Evil grinEMA E-mail addressEMFBI Excuse me for butting inEMSG E-mail messageENUF EnoughEOD End of dayEOM End of messageEVA EverEZY EasyF2F Face to faceF2T Free to talkFBM Fine by meFC Fingers crossedFICCL Frankly I couldn't care a lessFISH First in, still hereFOMCL Falling off my chair laughingFITB Fill in the blank

• FRT For real thoughFWIW For what it's worthFYEO For your eyes onlyFYI For your informationG GrinG/F GirlfriendG2CU Good to see youG2G Got to goG2R Got to runG9 GeniusGA Go aheadGAL Get a lifeGB GoodbyeGBU God bless youGDR Grinning, ducking, and runningGD/R Grinning, ducking, and runningGFI Go for itGG Gotta Go or Good GameGIAR Give it a restGIGO Garbage in, garbage outGL Good luckGL/HF Good luck, have funGLNG Good luck next gameGMTA Great minds think alikeGOI Get over itGOL Giggling out loudGR8 GreatGR&D Grinning, running and duckingGT Good tryGTG Got to goGTRM Going to read mailH&K Hugs & kissesH2CUS Hope to see you soonH8 HateHAGN Have a good nightHAGO Have a good oneHAND Have a nice dayHF Have funHHIS Head hanging in shameHOAS Hold on a secondHRU How are you?HTH Hope this helpsHV HaveIAC In any caseIANAL I am not a lawyerIB I'm backIC I seeICBW It could be worseIDK I don't knowIDTS I don't think soIDUNNO I don't knowIG2R I got to runIIRC If I remember correctlyILBL8 I'll be late

• ILU I love youILY I love youIM Instant messageIMHO In my humble opinionIMNSHO In my not so humble opinionIMO In my opinionIMS I am sorryINAL I'm not a lawyerIOW In other wordsIRL In real lifeIRMC I rest my caseIUSS If you say soIYKWIM If you know what I meanIYO In your opinionIYSS If you say so

• J00R YourJAC Just a secJIC Just in caseJJA Just joking aroundJK Just kiddingJMO Just my opinionJP Just playingK8T Katiek/b KeyboardKB KeyboardKISS Keep it simple, stupidKIT Keep in touchKOC Kiss on cheekKOTC Kiss on the cheekKOTL Kiss on the lipsKNIM Know what I mean?l33t Leet, meaning "elite"L8R LaterLD Later, dude / Long distanceLERK Leaving easy reach of keyboardLMAO Laughing my a** offLOL Laughing out loudLTM Laugh to myselfLTNS Long time no seeLYLAS Love you like a sisM8 MateMFI Mad for itMorF Male or female?MoS Mother over shoulderMSG MessageMTF More to followMTFBWU May the force be with youMUSM Miss you so muchMYOB Mind your own businessn00b NewbieN1 Nice oneNBD No big dealNE AnyNE1 AnyoneNFM None for me / Not for meNIMBY Not in my back yard

• NLT No later thanNM Nothing much / Never mindNMH Not much hereNO1 No oneNOYB None of your businessNP No problemNRN No response/reply necessaryNVM Never mindNW No wayNW) No way outOIC Oh, I seeOMG Oh my GodOMW On my wayOO Over and outOOH Out of hereOOTD One of these daysOP On phoneOTB Off to bedOTL Out to lunchOTOH On the other handOTT Over the topOTTOMH Off the top of my headOTW Off to workOVA OverPCM Please call mePDQ Pretty darn quickPLMK Please let me knowPLS PleasePLZ PleasePM Private MessagePMFI Pardon me for interruptingPMFJI Pardon me for jumping inPOAHF Put on a happy facePOS Parent over shoulderPPL PeoplePROLLY ProbablyPRT PartyPRW People/parents are watchingPTL Praise the LordPTMM Please tell me morePXT Please explain thatPU That stinks!Q QueueQIK QuickQT Cutie

• RL Real lifeRP Role playRME Rolling my eyesROFL Rolling on floor laughingROTFL Rolling on the floor laughingROTFLUTS Rolling on the floor laughing unable to speakRSN Real soon nowRTFM Read the f***ing manualRUOK Are you okay?

• SAL Such a laughSC Stay coolSETE Smiling Ear-to-EarSICNR Sorry, I could not resistSIG2R Sorry, I got to runSIS Snickering in silenceSIT Stay in touchSLAP Sounds like a planSMHID Scratching my head in disbeliefSNAFU Situation normal all fouled upSO Significant otherSOL Sooner or laterSOMY Sick of me yet?SOTMG Short of time, must goSPK SpeakSPST Same place, same timeSRY SorrySS So sorrySSDD Same stuff, different daySSINF So stupid it's not funnySTR8 StraightSTW Search the WebSUITM See you in the morningSUL See you laterSUP What's up?SYL See you laterT+ Think positiveTA Thanks a lotTAFN That's all for nowTAM Tomorrow a.m.TBC To be continuedTBD To be determinedTBH To be honestTC Take careTGIF Thank God it's FridayTHX Thanks

• THNX ThanksTHNQ Thank-youTIA Thanks in advanceTIAD Tomorrow is another dayTLK2UL8R Talk to you laterTMB Text me backTMI Too much informationTMOT Trust me on thisTMWFI Take my word for itTNSTAAFL There's no such thing as a free lunchTPM Tomorrow p.m.TPTB The powers that beTSTB The sooner, the betterTTFN Ta ta for nowTTTT These things take timeTTYL Talk to you laterTTYS Talk to you soonTU Thank youTY Thank youTYT Take your timeTYVM Thank you very muchUCMU You crack me upUGTBK You've got to be kiddingUKTR You know that's rightUL UploadUR Your / You'reUV Unpleasant visualUW You're welcomeVEG Very evil grinVFM Value for moneyVGC Very good conditionVIP Very important personVM Voice mailVSF Very sad faceWAM Wait a minuteWAN2TLK Want to talkWAYF Where are you from?W/B Write backWB Welcome backWC Who caresWCA Who cares anywayWIBNI Wouldn't it be nice ifWDALYIC Who died and left you in chargeWDYK What do you know

• WIIFM What's in it for me?WISP Winning is so pleasurableWITW What in the worldWIU Wrap it upWK WeekWKD WeekendWRT With regard toWOMBAT Waste of money, brains and timeWRK WorkWRUD What are you doing?WTB Wanted to buyWTF What the f**kWTG Way to goWTH What the heck? or What the hell?WU? What's up?WUCIWUG What you see is what you getWUF? Where you from?WWJD What would Jesus do?WWYC Write when you canWYLEI When you least expect itWYSIWYG What you see is what you getX KissXLNT ExcellentYA YourYBS You'll be sorryYCMU You crack me upYGBKM You've got to be kidding meYKWYCD You know what you can doYMMV Your mileage may varyYR Your YR Yeah rightYRYOCC You're running your own cookoo clock YSYD Yeah sure you do YW You're welcomeZZZZ Sleeping (or bored)

• @TEOTD At the end of the day143 I love you2Day Today2G2BT Too good to be true2MORO Tomorrow2NITE Tonight404 I don't know4EAE Forever and ever

Computer• Password required to boot up?• Password-protected files• Password Protected/encrypted

Bit Locker (Windows 7/VistaEnterprise and Ultimate)

Virtual disk encryption: free otfe

• Password complexity/security• Backup• Hard to erase hard drive (drill bit)

Firewall

Windows pretty good, but hackers target VPN (Virtual Private Network): home/office

computer remote access with encrypted connection (LT2P is highest level)

USB stick can carry virus

WifiWireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Password protection?

• Without encryption, data can be monitored and recorded

• WPA2(WifiProtectedAccess 2); • WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

easier to crack• Wireless Printer

Email

• Mom:

“You don’t know where that’s been!”

• Email: “You don’t know where that’s going.”

• Who else has your email password?

• (Office staff? Family?)

• Protect it from hijacking• Password complexity• Alert to viruses• Phishing

E-mail Policies and Procedures

• Standard Turnaround Time for Response

• Acceptable Message Content/Purpose

• When Not To Use E-mail• Emergencies or Crises

• Confidentiality and Privacy Identifying code word/phrase Encryption

• Informed Consent to use email• Part of record?• Is it psychotherapy?

Advantages• Expanded access/ geographical

availability • email avoids scheduling issues • no pressure to think quickly • precise recordkeeping • computer doesn’t interrupt or react in a

triggering manner;• travel time & expense, • agopraphobia/social phobics/other trust

issues; anxiety/stigma; comfort of home; may feel safer

Disadvantages • Miss subtle cues of sound/body language • Miss emotional reassurance and mirroring • Unexpected technical difficulties • Competence in new medium (rhythm) • Boundaries: are emails a session? • Does client have legal recourse? • Informed consent? • What if mandated to clients • Cultural competency if anonymous? • Crises

Instant Messaging?Hybrid of email and text

BlogsPersonalProfessional

Internet

• Password complexity• Unknown sites may try your password

elsewhere• Phishing:

realistic/official/urgent looking • Don’t click on link to sensitive sites,

eg. Bank, email, etc.• Avoid opening files of unknown origin

even if you know the “from” • Antivirus software

Facebook

• Hard for some students/recent

graduates to imagine being without it.

• Grads becoming cognizant of image they project

• What does it mean to “friend” someone? Invitation to your social circle.

Facebook• Privacy Settings

“Friends Only”“Friends of Friends” (who knows who?)

• Groups/Fans of../specialty pages may reveal your personal information

• Professional-only page• How do you respond to Wall posts• Do you offer advice? Consolation?

Encouragement?• Will “members” identify other members

from wall posts?

Twitter

• Don’t mix professional and personal; could have separate accounts (but keep them straight!)

• Tweets are publicly visible by default; however, senders can restrict to just their followers

• What would you use it for?

Yahoo Listserv

• “Members Only”

• Best Practices sharing• Brainstorming• Resource referrals

• Avoid unnecessary client information.

• Is your email secure?

e-counseling • Medicare… Fraud, Waste and Abuse

Compliance definition includes• “ Providing services over the

telephone or Internet and billing using face-to-face codes”

• BUT individual /group psychotherapy codes are specified for telehealth

e-counseling• Medicare: Remote Patient Face-To-

Face, Interactive Services• must be provided to an eligible Medicare beneficiary• in an eligible facility (originating site) • located outside of a metropolitan area.• “The use of a telecommunications system may substitute

for a face-to-face, "hands on" encounter for consultation, office visits, individual psychotherapy …

• Missouri Telehealth … institutional based videoconferencing bills 7 insurance companies

e-counseling

• Skype/video • www.ismho.org

(International Society for Mental Health Online)

• http://acto-uk.org/ (Association for Counselling and Therapy

Online)

e-counseling

California claims jurisdiction over any activity in CA S. Carolina State Board of Examiners in Psychology“According to statute, jurisdiction is determined by

the residence of the provider. … can regulate the activities of only those providers who reside in South Carolina.... Should you “go out of state” for psychological

treatment, you do so at your own risk.

e-counseling

• Some states: have created limited or special licenses to practice telemedicine which offer out-of-state providers a restricted license for infrequent or irregular contacts.

• Many, but not all, licensing laws allow temporary practice by persons not licensed in that jurisdiction

e-counseling• Rules for temporary practice vary

• Number of days varies from 0 to unlimited with 30 days most common

• Notification/registration with board varies from advanced authorization for specific service to no notice required

• Scope of practice allowed under temporary authority varies from consultative or forensic work to full range of psychological services

e-counseling• Option A. Simply ignore the laws since they

are out of date. • Option B. Skirt laws by flying "under the radar" • Option C. Challenge the laws by flaunting

unlicensed practice • Option D. Support Efforts to Update & Improve

Telepsychology Provisions in Licensing Law

"I don't know one person who has been pursued by a licensing board for practicing online...

but you don't want to be the poster case."

e-counseling …or ?• What if you call it something else, like

“Coaching”• "You can NOT do the things described as

being within the purview of a profession…- unless you are licensed to practice that profession.

• “If someone says they are a “life coach” but is providing psychological services, they are practicing psychology…"whether they call themselves a psychologist or not."

Stephen T. DeMers, Ed.D.

Online or telephone therapy may be…• Adjunctive; e.g. a regular face to face client

while one of you is out of town.• Continuity: continue with a client who has

moved; or temporarily housebound• Based in scarcity: provide services to rural

areas with few therapists; or where home visits are unavailable.

• Marketing strategy: significant or predominant part of your caseload as a means of reaching new clients

• Clinical consideration: reach clients who might be overwhelmed in person, or concerned with confidentiality.

• Intra- or inter-state

American Counseling Association

Records of Electronic Communications(Approved by the ACA Governing Council, October 1999;

subsequently incorporated into Code of Ethics)

http://mooramoora.org.au/bobrich/psych/ethical.html • Professional counselors maintain

appropriate procedures • for ensuring the safety and

confidentiality of client information • acquired through electronic

communications, • including but not limited to …


• encryption software; • proprietary on-site file servers with fire

walls; • saving on-line or e-mail communications

to the hard drive or file server computer systems;

• creating regular tape or diskette back-up copies;

• creating hard-copies of all electronic communications; and the like


• Clients are informed about the length of time for,

• and method of, preserving session transcripts.

• Professional counselors warn clients of the possibility or frequency of technology failures andtime delays in transmitting and receiving information.

NASW Code of EthicsSW who provide services via electronic media (such as

computer, telephone, radio, and television) should inform recipients of the limitations and risks associated with such services.

SW should protect the confidentiality of clients’ written and electronic records and other sensitive information. Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that clients’ records are stored in a secure location and that clients’ records are not available to others who are not authorized to have access.

SW should take precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of information transmitted to other parties through the use of computers, electronic mail, facsimile machines, telephones and telephone answering machines, and other electronic or computer technology. Disclosure of identifying information should be avoided whenever possible.

American Psychological Association

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

• Electronic media • referenced in a few areas by • adding to a list of various ways • services may be delivered and • to which admonishments apply.

American Counseling Association-2005

A.12. Technology ApplicationsA.12.a. Benefits and Limitations Counselors inform clients of the benefitsand limitations of using information technology applications in thecounseling process and in business/billing procedures. Such technologiesinclude but are not limited to computer hardware and software, telephones, the World Wide Web, the Internet, online assessment instruments and other communication devices.A.12.b. Technology-Assisted Services When providing technology-

assisteddistance counseling services, counselors determine that clients are intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of using the

application and that the application is appropriate for the needs of clients.A.12.c. Inappropriate Services When technology-assisted distancecounseling services are deemed inappropriate by the counselor or client,counselors consider delivering services face to face.

A.12.d. AccessCounselors provide reasonable access to computer

applications When providing technology-assisted distance counseling

services.A.12.e. Laws and Statutes Counselors ensure that the use oftechnology does not violate the laws of any local, state,

national, or international entity and observe all relevant statutes.A.12.f. Assistance Counselors seek business, legal, and

technical assistance when using technology applications, particularlywhen the use of such applications crosses state or national boundaries.

A.12.g. Technology and Informed Consent As part of the process of establishinginformed consent, counselors do the following: 1. Address issues related to the difficulty of maintaining the confidentiality of electronically transmitted communications.2. Inform clients of all colleagues, supervisors, and employees, such as Informational Technology (IT) administrators, who might have authorized or unauthorized access to electronic transmissions.3. Urge clients to be aware of all authorized or unauthorized users including family members and fellow employees who have access to any technology clients may use in the counseling process.4. Inform clients of pertinent legal rights and limitations governing the practice of a profession over state lines or international boundaries.5. Use encrypted Web sites and e-mail communications to help ensure confidentiality when possible.6. When the use of encryption is not possible, counselors notify clients of this fact and limit electronic transmissions to general communications that are not client specific.7. Inform clients if and for how long archival storage of transaction records are maintained.8. Discuss the possibility of technology failure and alternate methods of service delivery.9. Inform clients of emergency procedures, such as calling 911 or a local crisis hotline, when the counselor is not available.10. Discuss time zone differences, local customs, and cultural or language differences that might impact service delivery.11. Inform clients when technology assisted distance counseling services are not covered by insurance. (See A.2.)

A.12.h. Sites on the World Wide WebCounselors maintaining sites on the World Wide Web (the Internet) dothe following:1. Regularly check that electronic links are working and professionallyappropriate.2. Establish ways clients can contact the counselor in case of technologyfailure.3. Provide electronic links to relevant state licensure and professionalcertification boards to protect consumer rights and facilitate addressing ethical concerns.4. Establish a method for verifying client identity.5. Obtain the written consent of the legal guardian or other authorizedlegal representative prior to rendering services in the event the client isa minor child, an adult who is legally incompetent, or an adult incapableof giving informed consent.6. Strive to provide a site that is accessible to persons with disabilities.7. Strive to provide translation capabilities for clients who have a different primary language while also addressing the imperfect nature of such translations.8. Assist clients in determining the validity and reliability of informationfound on the World Wide Web and other technology applications.

Special thanks to Jeremy Peterson

Micro Center 4/11/12

AppendixSAMPLE: Standards for

Communication If you have a life threatening emergency, and your are

unable to reach me, I suggest you call Life Crisis Services Hot Line (647-4357), Behavioral Health Response(800-811-4760), or “911”.

Paper: Paper records created in intake, therapy sessions, or related correspondence will be maintained in a client file. The client file will only be accessible to me and you, unless explicit permission is granted by you, or there is a requirement under law to disclose information (consistent with limits of confidentiality reviewed at intake, and my Notice of Privacy Practices.) On occasion, I may contract with staff to assist with billing and other administrative

matters, and they would also have access to files.


CommunicationTelephone: Messages left on my voice mail are secure,

accessible only by me with a password. You can normally expect a response within 24 hours. If you are requiring a more urgent response, follow instructions on the voice mail message to flag it as an urgent message, and I will respond appropriately. If there are occasions when I may be out of the office and checking my voice mail less frequently, I will leave special notice and instructions in the voice mail message.

If you give me a phone number, as a general contact number, or a call back number in a voice mail message, I will assume it is acceptable to leave a message at that number with basic information, such as an answer to a question or scheduling information, unless you advise me

otherwise.


CommunicationFax: Faxes are received by me in an electronic form and access is

password protected, only viewed by me. I can typically be expected to access a fax message within 24 hours. Response will be determined by the priority I determine. If you require a particularly prompt response, talk with me directly to make arrangements.

Email Email is received by me and access is password protected, only viewed by me. I can typically be expected to access an email message within 24 hours. Response will be determined by the priority I determine. You should normally expect I will respond at the next session. If you require a particularly prompt response, talk with me directly to make arrangements. I will assume that your email communication is safe and secure if I choose to respond by email, unless you advise me otherwise. Email can be a convenient way of passing along information you want to remember to discuss in a session, or even as a way of journaling for emotional expression. It is not a usually a good choice for addressing a crisis.


CommunicationText Messaging (SMS): Text Messages appear on my phone as

soon as they are received. However, I may not read the message until a later time. If a response is requested, I will typically respond within 24 hours. If a response is not explicitly requested, I will choose whether to respond. Text messages may be convenient to communicate simple information such as scheduling, but is not usually a good medium for discussing emotional or cognitive issues.

Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc): As a matter of policy, I do not join a client’s Social Media Network, or include a client in Social Media Networks I may participate in. This helps maintain the privacy and personal boundaries of our therapeutic relationship.

In-person: There may be occasions when we unexpectedly “run into each other” outside of the office, such as at a store, or event, etc. I will typically ignore or not acknowledge knowing a client to protect your privacy. This may seem awkward, but it also avoids the awkwardness of deciding how to explain to someone how we know each other.

Documents

Ethics: From Aristotle to Generation Z Steve Franklin, MSW, LCSW SteveFranklinMSW