The Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara
(CAMFT CE Provider #128307)
Ethical Therapy in a Polarized World
Taught by Debra Manchester LCSW (LR9847)
Therapists are increasingly being asked for help from clients who are in emotional distress about the state of the world. Anxiety in children and teens has skyrocketed. Difficult topics—immigration/deportation, DEI education, abortion, gender affirming care, global warming, vaccinations—have not only polarized our political system but have caused conflict within families, couples and communities. What are the ethical issues and dilemmas that arise especially when working with clients whose values clash with our own?
Saturday, November 15
9:00am-12:15pm
$75 | 3 CE credits
Location: Fusion Academy
510 State St, Ste 200
Or attend via Zoom
Email info@ftisb.org, call Nancy (805) 882-2424 x111, or make a payment to register!
Coursework:
TBA
Payment Options:
With Debit/Credit/e-Check
Enter Law & Ethics 2025 as the invoice number.
Venmo:
User ID @FTISB
Enter Law & Ethics 2025 as the payment comment.
Course Content and Learning Objectives
Designed for supervisors, clinicians and students who want an annual update on recent trends and developments in legal and ethical issues from a clinical perspective, this course is intended for those who have already completed the traditional coursework on law and ethics. It focuses on the complexities and dilemmas when dealing in the field with children, teens, couples and families.
This course covers issues of diversity via the teaching of core ethical values and principles as well as through case examples using couples and families from varied ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds.
Goals:
Research indicates that many clients want to discuss political and moral issues in therapy, often in deep distress about contentious differences with family members or friends. In the current climate, voicing one’s truth can bring social ridicule, rejection or even threats of violence. This workshop will explore how therapists can facilitate constructive dialogue and cultivate empathy in politically divided couples or families. Together we will look at how to do the right thing for our client, ourselves and our community with allegiance to our professional codes of conduct.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course:
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss three forces driving ethics in the wrong direction.
- Discuss how moral foundation theory explains why moral/political decisions can be difficult to change with logical arguments.
- Discuss the four steps in how to cultivate a receptive mindset.
- Name three benefits of bridging differences between those with opposing views.
- Discuss key teachings from Stoicism can help us and our clients sell-regulate emotionally and take positive action.
Course Schedule (for live presentation): TBA
9:00am-9:15am: Overview of course
9:15am-10:00am:
10am-10:30am:
10:30am-10:40am: Break
10:40am-11:50am:
12pm-12:15pm: Wrap-up/questions/discussion
This course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
The Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCCs, and LEPs. Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content
Debra Manchester, LCSW, is the Executive Director of Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara, now in its 44th year. In 2010, Debra was honored by SB CAMFT “for 30 years of inspiration, leadership, and training provided to thousands of clinicians, and the devotion exemplified in consistent visionary work for the community.” She and her husband, Don MacMannis, recently published their second book, entitled Who’s the Boss? The Win-Win Way to Parent Your Defiant Strong-Willed Child. Their first book, How’s Your Family ReallyDoing? 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family, was published in 2011. Deb is a blogger for PsychCentral as well as for HowsYourFamily.com.
Target Audience
The target audience is licensed clinical professionals including LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s, LEP’s, and registered Associates.
Course Completion Certificates
CE certificates will be awarded after the workshop, after the submission of a completed course evaluation form. If completing via self-study, the certificate will be awarded after the submission of a completed course evaluation form and test (passing with at least 70% correct). Partial credit CE certificates will not be awarded. If an attendee leaves before the end of the workshop or without submitting a completed a course evaluation form or test, they may ask for the video of the workshop, submit a completed test and course evaluation to receive CE credits.
Cancellation Policy:
The registration fee, less $15 process charge, will refunded if written notice of the cancellation is faxed, emailed or postmarked two days prior to the workshop. Thereafter there will be no refunds. Refunds will be reimbursed via check within 5 business days of written notice.
Requesting Accommodations for Disability:
Facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a special need and plan to attend the workshop, please contact Nancy Villalobos, Administrator, or Debra Manchester, Executive Director at (805) 882-2400 or via email at info@FTISB.org. Please allow as much advance notice as is possible to ensure we have ample opportunity to meet your needs.
Instruction for Addressing Grievances:
Participants can lodge complaints directly to the Program Coordinator or any of the FTI staff. FTI staff will be identified by name badges and the Program Coordinator or FTI staff designee introduces the speaker and explains the CE process to the attendees. Complaints can also be written on the evaluation forms, sent via email (info@ftisb.org) to the Program Coordinator or administrative assistant. They will be followed up within ten business days. Grievances can include, but are not limited to the following:
- Refund requests
- Complaints about course content
- Complaints about facilities
- Complaints about non-receipt of certificates
- Complaints about miscellaneous