Society & Vulnerability of Minors: Navigating Ethical and Legal Issues
- The ethical and legal landscape
- Vulnerability and power differentials
- Federal and state laws outlining legal responsibilities
- Licensing rules
- Suggestions & resources for avoiding problems and mitigating risk
- Limitations of the research and potential risks
The Necessity of a Decision-making Model
- The Multiple Perspective Model: Step-by-step guide
- The five essential perspectives
- Consult, consult, consult
- Decision & documentation
Different States, Different Laws!
- Variability among state laws pertaining to minors
- Documenting that parents are informed
- Checking assumptions of parents & minors
- Guidance to parental & minors rights resources
Consent Rules and Issues Involving Minors
- Consent vs. assent
- Who can provide consent?
- Parental rights and consent rules
- Special rules for older adolescents
- Informed consent process
Who is the Identified Client and why this Matters
- When does an individual become a client?
- Personal representatives
- Ethical vs. legal considerations
Confidentiality Standards and Limits with Minors
- Limits of confidentiality
- Communications with minors and parents
- Progressive scenarios technique
- Parental agreements
Parental Rights…and Wrongs
- Default rights
- Special situations
- Exceptions
Responding to Requests for Records
- Health care records vs. educational records
- HIPAA vs. FERPA
- Who has access?
- Clinical records and psychotherapy notes
Caught in the Middle of Divorced Parents
- Informed consent process
- Parenting plans
- Other legal considerations
Mandatory Reporting: The “what”, “when” and “to whom”
- Mandatory reporting – state laws
- Federal definition of child abuse
- Variability among state laws
- Ethical considerations
Relationships and Boundaries with Minors
- Social media policies
- Boundary issues with minors, and parents/guardians
- Multiple relationships
- Power differentials
- Virtual relationships
- Vulnerability of minors & potential for exploitation
- Texting and messaging
- Physical touch: When it is appropriate, and when it is not Informed consent
- Organizational policies
Vignettes
- The Phone Intake - reporting abuse & more
- Client in a Bind – multiple relationships
- The Dilemma with Julia – disagreeing parents
- Ashley’s tweets – multiple relationships & more
- Celeste and Her Father – parental access to records


