Ethics in Practice with Tina Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD

Ethics in Practice: Terminating Therapeutic Work with Clients 

The NASW Code of Ethics charges social workers to conclude professional relationship with clients when services are no longer required or no longer serving clients’ needs or interests. Yet how do we make this determination? As ethical practitioners, it is important to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of our services. Yet, how do we distinguish between a bump in the road and our inability to provide effective services? What is our ethical obligation to clients who still have a need for assistance but the agency providing services ceases to operate? How can we recognize when our reluctance to terminate with clients may have more to do with our own needs than with their continued need for services? In this illuminating workshop, Tina Souders will explore these questions and provide practical guidance on how to respond in an ethical manner.

Tina Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD a clinical assistant professor and the Director of the Winston-Salem Distance Education MSW Program at the University of North Carolina, has more than 17 years experience of experience in mental health, as a supervisor, clinician, and administrator. She teaches several courses at UNC including Management and Community Practice and Social Work and the Law. Tina also serves on the NASW-NC Board of Directors as Treasurer and is a member of the NASW-NC Ethics Committee.