Professional Roles and Boundaries in the Clinical Setting

2 Law & Ethics Professional Roles & Boundaries CEs Recorded: November, 2025

Boundary violations are among the most common reasons for professional discipline of behavioral health clinicians. Dual relationships—both intentional and unintentional—can arise in many forms and often present ethical, clinical, and legal challenges.

In recognition of this significant cause of misconduct, as of October 2025, the Washington Department of Health has implemented a new requirement for two hours of continuing education in “Professional Roles and Boundaries” every two years (the new Washington State continuing education requirements according to WAC 246-809-630 can be found here).

In this two-hour workshop, we will examine Washington State laws and professional ethical standards regarding personal and dual relationships with clients. Drawing from recent Washington Department of Health disciplinary decisions, participants will engage with real-world case studies that illustrate common risk areas. The workshop will also offer practical strategies for establishing and maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries in everyday practice.

This course is designed to meet the Washington State Department of Health’s requirement for continuing education in Professional Roles and Boundaries according to according to WAC 246-809-630.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Implement strategies to maximize clinical effectiveness while minimizing liability risk; Apply Washington legal guidelines regarding dual relationships; Apply ethical standards concerning personal relationships with clients; Identify and describe various types of inconsistent dual relationships; Recognize risk factors that may contribute to boundary crossings or violations; and Create and evaluate strategies to maintain appropriate and ethical clinical relationships.