2026 NEFESH Summer Online Conference
July 14-15, 2026 · Online Event
00
Days
00
Hours
00
Min
00
Sec
Register Now
< Back to workshops

Ethics, Boundaries, and Technology in a Post-Covid World (Recorded)

Previously Recorded
Debra Minsky-Kelly, LCSW
$59.99 USD

The effects of technology on clinical practice since the onset of the pandemic have been enormous. Out of necessity, many providers rushed to adopt technology-assisted practices in an effort to continue to provide care to those in need. What have we learned from these practice changes? In 2018, NASW updated the Code of Ethics to include ethical practice with technology. Were these updates adequate to address the rapid expansion of technology-assisted therapies? This workshop will explore these critical questions and will also examine some of the specific boundary-related issues that arise in technology-assisted practice. In addition, as the evidence mounts regarding the harmful effects of technology on mental health, relationships, and community well-being, we will ask critical questions regarding the role of the helping professions in addressing these concerns. 

About the Presenter

Debbie Minsky-Kelly, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor at the Carthage College School of Social Work whose 25 year career as a social worker includes leadership in mental health treatment with children, teens, and families, with a specialty in childhood trauma. She was selected as Distinguished Teacher of the Year at Carthage College in 2021. Debbie has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences, and for many nonprofit agencies and schools

Learning Objectives:

  1. After participating in this program, participants will be able to: - - Reflect on technology-related changes to the NASW Code of Ethics that went into effect 2018 and consider these in light of practice changes since the pandemic
  2. - Recognize the unique boundary-related practice considerations necessary in technology-assisted service delivery models
  3. - Examine what we have learned from the rapid expansion of technology-assisted therapies since the pandemic toward the goal of adopting best practices
  4. - Identify and define ethical concepts and decision making models and how these can be applied to technology-assisted service delivery
  5. - Integrate our knowledge of the harmful effects of technology into our work with individuals, families, and communities and consider how this affects our practice

Agenda:

Presentation outline

I.               The multitude of benefits technology has brought to our lives – 5 minutes

II.              Generational differences related to technology – 5 minutes

III.            The 2018 update to the NASW Code of Ethics – how have these changes held up to the drastic ways our world has changed? – 20 minutes

a.     Effects of the pandemic on clinical practice

b.     Explosion of technology-assisted therapies

c.     Re-examination of the 2018 update of the Code based on current practice challenges

IV.            Boundary issues raised by technology-assisted models of care – 5 minutes

V.             Special boundary considerations when serving clients remotely – 5 minutes

VI.            What have we learned about the effectiveness of remote models of therapy compared to in-person? – 20 minutes

a.     The question is more complicated than anticipated

b.     Is effectiveness the most important measure to consider when comparing remote to in-person service delivery?

c.     Equity questions raised by remote service delivery

d.     Creative solutions that can arise out of remote models

e.     Can hybrid models offer the best of both worlds?

f.      How does artificial intelligence complicate these questions?

VII.          Review of the most relevant ethical principles and standards when thinking about technology in practice – 30 minutes

VIII.         Ways in which the harms that have been associated with over-reliance on technology raise important questions related to professional values – 15 minutes

a.     Harms to children

b.     Harms to mental health (attention, anxiety, depression, loneliness)

c.     Disruptions to sleep

d.     Addicting effects of tech exposure

IX.            Introduction of ethical decision-making models relevant to this discussion – 20 minutes

X.             Case studies – 30 minutes

a.      Ethical dilemmas related to technology

b.     Practice applying various ethical decision-making models

XI.            How technology interferes with healthy relationships – 15 minutes

XII.          Ethical considerations with Artificial Intelligence – 30 minutes

a.     Replicates existing disparities

b.     Artificial Intimacy

XIII.         Relationship between technology and exploding rates of mental health distress – 30 minutes

 

XIV.        What is the role of the helping professions in addressing the harms caused by technology on individuals, families, and communities? – 10 minutes

This workshop offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.