6 CE's Part 1 & Part 2: 9:00am - 4:00pm

The presentation will address the intersection of ethical social media practices and HIPAA compliance for mental health professionals. It will explore the ACA Code of Ethics standards for using social media responsibly and enhance counselors' competence in navigating online interactions with clients. The session will discuss the potential unintended messages that actions like liking, following, or friending may send and emphasize the importance of reflecting on these actions' impact, especially on clients. It will also cover the challenges of managing online interactions in accordance with ethical codes and HIPAA regulations, particularly with the rise of smartphones and social media apps. By examining common pitfalls and proposing best practices, the presentation aims to help mental health professionals avoid HIPAA violations and other ethical missteps while maintaining appropriate online relationships with clients. Objectives: 1. Apply the ACA Code of Ethics to social media use in ethical decision-making when it comes to interacting with clients. 2. List boundary and multiple relationship issues involved in the use of social media. 3. Aspects to include on Social media policies to create digital boundaries for Mental Health Professionals 4. Identify at least four factors related to best practices for answering, addressing, and interacting with patients on social media. 5. Identify threats to privacy and confidentiality involved in the use of social media 6. Name at least two things to cover when training your staff or employees in the use of HIPAA-compliant strategies to use social media. 7. Name at least two things to cover when training your staff or employees in the use of HIPAA compliant strategies to use social media. 8. List social media issues that should be included in the informed consent process.