Professional Ethics for Helping Professions from Udemy

Are you a helping professional, such as a counsellor, psychotherapist, coach or teacher (mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc)? If so, there are a set of core skills you need to keep yourself and your clients safe. This course will teach you everything you need to know about best practices and working within ethical guidelines.

We’ll cover:

Fairness, equality & diversity, exploring the barriers clients may encounter in using our services
Building an appropriate relationship with clients and handling conflicts of interest
Safeguarding: what do we do if a client talks about suicide, self-harm, or harming others?
Confidentiality, when to keep it and when to break it
Data protection and keeping clients’ information secure
Contracting and maintaining professional boundaries
Core skills such as organisation, time management, communication and assertiveness
Working within our remit and signposting clients to additional support
Supervision and joining professional bodies
Suitable insurance for helping professionals
Personal development and practitioner self-care

We will explore each of these areas in a series of lessons backed up by reading material, case studies and exercises. The course features dozens of downloadable worksheets and examples so you can learn from real-world situations and apply the learning to your situation.

By the end of this course, you will be able to work with confidence, knowing that you can handle difficult situations with clients and work within ethical guidelines to protect yourself and your clients.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Ethical practice for helping professions
Fairness, equality and diversity
Building an appropriate relationship with clients

Safeguarding and managing risk of harm
Confidentiality, contracting, remit and supervision
Professional bodies, insurance, personal development

Ethical practice for helping professions
Fairness, equality and diversity
Building an appropriate relationship with clients
Safeguarding and managing risk of harm
Confidentiality, contracting, remit and supervision
Professional bodies, insurance, personal development

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome

Course goals and outline

How to use this course

Course handbook

Meet your instructor

Student community

Fairness

Diversity

Common barriers

Discrimination

Case study: women-only classes

Case study: access to buildings

Being accessible

Respecting difference

Power imbalance

Test your knowledge

The relationship

Working alliance

Building safety

Safe environments checklist

Safe online environments

Dual relationships

Romantic relationships

Case study: romantic relationships

Conflict of interest

Case study: gifts

Termination

Case study: last-minute cancellations

Safeguarding

What is safeguarding?

Types of abuse

Harm to the individual

Case study: suicide

CAMS framework

Harm to the public

Harm to another individual

Safeguarding pathways

Harm to the practitioner

Confidentiality

Maintaining client confidentiality

Breaking confidentiality

Data protection

Principles of data protection

Keeping secure notes

Meeting a client in public

Contracting

What is contracting?

Informed consent

Boundaries

Cancellations

Complaints

Contracting checklist

Written contracts

What is supervision?

Core skills

What are core skills?

Organisation

Top tips for organisation

Time management

Top tips for time management

Assertiveness

Top tips for assertiveness

Communication

Top tips for communication

Computer literacy

Remit

What is remit?

Ethical referrals

Case study: working within your remit

Case study: mindfulness and mental health

Signposting

Signposting worksheet

Supervision

What happens in supervision?

Types of supervision

Where do I find a supervisor?

Supervision ratios

Supervision log

Professional bodies

What is a professional body?

Affiliation vs regulation

Joining a professional body

Ethical framework example 1: BACP

Ethical framework example 2: Association for Coaching

Ethical framework example 3: Yoga Alliance

Insurance

Do I need insurance?

Types of insurance

Insurance policies

Finding insurance

Personal development

Personal therapy

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers fairness, equality, and diversity, which are essential for creating inclusive and accessible services for all clients, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances

Explores safeguarding and managing the risk of harm, providing a framework for handling sensitive situations like suicide, self-harm, and harm to others, which is crucial for client safety

Discusses data protection and secure note-keeping, which are vital for maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to legal and ethical standards in handling sensitive information

Examines the importance of supervision and joining professional bodies, which are key components of ongoing professional development and ethical practice in the helping professions

Requires learners to consider insurance policies, which may involve additional costs for helping professionals seeking to protect themselves and their clients from potential liabilities

Includes case studies and downloadable worksheets, which offer practical application of ethical principles and best practices in real-world scenarios, enhancing learning and skill development

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Professional Ethics for Helping Professions with these activities:

Review 'The Gift of Therapy'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the therapeutic relationship and ethical considerations by exploring Yalom's insights.

View The Gift of Therapy on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Gift of Therapy'.
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how these concepts relate to your practice.

Review Ethical Frameworks

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Strengthen your understanding of ethical principles by reviewing established frameworks from professional bodies.

Browse courses on Ethical Frameworks

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Research ethical frameworks from relevant organizations.
Summarize the key principles of each framework.
Compare and contrast the different frameworks.

Discuss Case Studies

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Enhance your understanding of ethical dilemmas by discussing case studies with peers.

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Form a study group with other students.
Find or create case studies related to the course topics.
Discuss the ethical implications of each case.
Brainstorm possible courses of action.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create an Ethical Decision-Making Flowchart

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Solidify your understanding of ethical decision-making by creating a visual flowchart.

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Review the ethical decision-making models.
Design a flowchart that outlines the steps.
Incorporate key ethical principles and considerations.
Share your flowchart with peers for feedback.

Review 'Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling'

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Deepen your understanding of ethical challenges and practical solutions by studying this comprehensive guide.

View Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling'.
Read the book, focusing on areas relevant to your practice.
Identify key ethical principles and guidelines.
Reflect on how these principles apply to your work.

Volunteer at a Helpline

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Apply your ethical knowledge in a real-world setting by volunteering at a helpline or crisis center.

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Research local helplines or crisis centers.
Apply to volunteer and complete the training.
Volunteer regularly, adhering to ethical guidelines.
Reflect on your experiences and ethical challenges.

Develop an Ethical Self-Care Plan

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Prioritize your well-being by creating a personalized ethical self-care plan.

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Assess your current self-care practices.
Identify areas where you need to improve.
Develop a plan that incorporates ethical considerations.
Implement your plan and track your progress.

Career center

Learners who complete Professional Ethics for Helping Professions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Counselor

A counselor helps clients navigate difficult life situations and improve their mental and emotional well-being. This course is highly relevant to a counselor by providing a comprehensive understanding of ethical practice, including building appropriate client relationships, managing conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality. The course also helps build a foundation in key areas such as safeguarding, data protection, and contracting, and emphasizes critical skills such as communication and assertiveness that are vital for a counselor. Furthermore, the course’s focus on personal development and self-care directly aligns with the needs of a counselor. Anyone aspiring to work as a counselor would find that this course helps prepare them for the challenges of the profession.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Psychotherapist

A psychotherapist works with individuals, couples, families, or groups to address mental health issues and emotional challenges. This course greatly assists a psychotherapist by providing important insights into ethics, client safety, and professional boundaries. The course’s modules on safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection are essential for a psychotherapist to ensure client well-being. Additionally, the content on building therapeutic relationships, managing conflicts, and handling sensitive situations builds a foundation for effective practice. Topics such as contracting, supervision, and the importance of joining professional bodies are highly relevant to a psychotherapist. Anyone wishing to work as a psychotherapist should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychotherapist

Life Coach

A life coach empowers clients to achieve their personal and professional goals through guidance and support. This course offers valuable ethical training for a life coach, with a focus on establishing appropriate client relationships, avoiding dual relationships, and understanding power imbalances. The course's content on contracting, professional boundaries, and confidentiality ensures that a life coach maintains ethical standards. Topics such as communication, assertiveness, and organization, are directly relevant to a life coach. The emphasis on staying within one's remit and knowing when to refer clients to additional support builds a foundation for responsible practice as a life coach. This course, therefore, helps prepare a life coach with the ethical and practical tools they need.

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Caregiver

A caregiver provides care and support for individuals who need assistance with their daily lives. This course is useful for a caregiver, providing essential knowledge on maintaining professional boundaries, building appropriate relationships, and understanding the importance of confidentiality. The course’s modules on safeguarding, data protection, and managing conflicts helps ensure a safe and ethical environment for those in care. The focus on communication and assertiveness may help a caregiver in establishing healthy interactions with those they are looking after. Anyone seeking to work as a caregiver would do well to consider this course.

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Social Worker

A social worker provides support and advocacy for individuals and communities facing various social challenges. This course is helpful to a social worker, providing essential insights into ethical practice when working with vulnerable populations. The course's focus on fairness, equality, and diversity directly aligns with the core values of social work. The modules on safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection are crucial for protecting clients' well-being. A social worker would benefit from the knowledge this course offers on building appropriate relationships, managing conflicts of interest, and navigating complex situations. The course’s focus on professional development and self care is relevant to social work practice.

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Mindfulness Teacher

A mindfulness teacher guides individuals in mindfulness and meditation practices. This course is important for a mindfulness teacher, providing essential ethical guidelines to ensure a safe and supportive environment for students. The course specifically addresses key areas such as maintaining boundaries, respecting diversity, and understanding power imbalances. The course’s modules on safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection are relevant to the safety of students. This course may be useful in helping a mindfulness teacher to understand their remit and maintain professional standards in their practice.

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Meditation Instructor

A meditation instructor facilitates meditation sessions, helping individuals cultivate inner peace and awareness. This course helps a meditation instructor by guiding them in professional ethics, client safety, and professional boundaries. The course's modules on safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection are important when dealing with students. Additionally, a meditation instructor may find that the content on building healthy relationships, managing conflicts, and handling sensitive situations builds a foundation for effective practice. Topics such as contracting and the importance of professional bodies are helpful for a meditation instructor. Anyone wishing to work as a meditation instructor would do well to consider this course.

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Yoga Instructor

A yoga instructor guides students in the practice of yoga. This course provides crucial ethical knowledge to a yoga instructor, emphasizing the importance of building appropriate relationships, maintaining boundaries, and respecting diversity. The course also covers safeguarding and data protection, important topics when dealing with students' wellbeing. Modules on contracting and maintaining professional boundaries helps a yoga instructor handle their professional responsibilities. The course may be useful for a yoga instructor seeking to enhance their professional ethics and create a safer learning environment.

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Patient Advocate

A patient advocate supports patients and their families by navigating the healthcare system. This course may be useful to a patient advocate, providing an understanding of ethical practice, client relationships, and boundaries. The modules on confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding are relevant to ensuring patient safety and privacy. Moreover, the course's emphasis on communication and assertiveness may help a patient advocate effectively communicate with healthcare providers on behalf of their clients. A patient advocate may find that this course improves the standards of care for their clients.

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Consultant

A consultant provides expert advice to help organizations or individuals solve problems and achieve their goals. This course may be useful for a consultant, providing valuable knowledge of ethical practice, client confidentiality, and maintaining professional boundaries. The content on building appropriate relationships and managing conflicts of interest is relevant for consultants working with clients. A consultant would likely find that the modules on communication, organization, and contracting are useful for professional practice. This course may be useful for consultants to ensure they work in an ethical way.

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Human Resources Specialist

A human resources specialist handles employee relations, conflict resolution, and organizational ethics. This course may be useful for a human resources specialist, providing important insights into maintaining fairness, equality, and diversity in the workplace. The course’s modules on building appropriate relationships and managing conflicts of interest are highly relevant to the duties of a human resources specialist. A human resources specialist may also find the course’s emphasis on confidentiality and data protection useful in protecting employee information and respecting privacy. The focus on communication and assertiveness may benefit those who work in human resources.

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Academic Advisor

An academic advisor supports students in their educational journeys, providing guidance on course selection and career paths. This course may be useful to an academic advisor, teaching important skills in building appropriate relationships with students, managing potential conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality. The course's modules on diversity, equality and fairness are highly relevant to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. An academic advisor may also find the information on communication, assertiveness, and organization to be useful in their role. This course may be useful for improving the standards of care for an academic advisor.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students in various subjects within a classroom or educational setting. This course may be helpful for a teacher by covering key aspects of professional ethics, like building appropriate relationships with students, understanding the power dynamic, and maintaining professional boundaries. The course's modules on diversity, equality, and fairness may be particularly relevant to a teacher. A teacher may also find the course’s content on safeguarding, confidentiality, and communication to be beneficial. Given its focus on ethical guidelines and professional conduct, a teacher may find this course useful for maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment.

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Community Organizer

A community organizer works to empower and mobilize community members to create positive change. This course may be useful for a community organizer, providing relevant insights into building appropriate relationships with community members, managing conflicts of interest, and respecting diversity. The course's modules on fairness, equality, and accessibility are beneficial for building inclusive community programs. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on communication, assertiveness, and organization may be helpful to effective community organizing. Therefore, this course may help a community organizer with their professional practice.

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Volunteer Coordinator

A volunteer coordinator manages and supports volunteers within an organization or community program. This course might be useful for a volunteer coordinator, offering guidance on building appropriate relationships with volunteers, managing conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality. The course's modules on diversity, equality, and fairness can ensure inclusive volunteer practices. A volunteer coordinator may find the communication and assertiveness training helpful for their role. This course may be especially beneficial for a volunteer coordinator aiming to promote ethical behavior and effective volunteer support.

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Professional Ethics for Helping Professions

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