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  • Author:

    Ray W. Christner, PsyD, NCSP, ABPP

  • Level: 

    Foundational

  • CREDIT(S)

    1

  • Video

    1 hour 7 minutes

Ethical Practice in a Changing World: Competence, Consent, and Cybersecurity

As psychologists and mental health professionals navigate increasingly complex work environments, ethical practice demands more than just adherence to codes—it requires self-awareness, technological competence, and proactive risk management. This workshop explores the critical ethical dimensions of professional competence, clinician self-care, and digital practice. Participants will examine the four components of ethical competence—knowledge, emotional, technical, and cultural—and how these impact service delivery. Emphasis will be placed on the ethical responsibility of self-care to prevent burnout and maintain quality care. The session also addresses modern challenges related to telepsychology, data security, and electronic communication, including best practices for maintaining confidentiality and ensuring informed consent in virtual settings. Using practical examples and real-world scenarios, this training equips professionals to make sound ethical decisions while protecting both clients and their own well-being in an increasingly digital landscape.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify the four core components of clinical competence (knowledge, emotional, technical, and cultural competence) and explain their role in ethical psychology practice.
2. Evaluate the ethical significance of self-care, including how impairment impacts service delivery and strategies for promoting psychological wellness.
3. Apply ethical decision-making frameworks to common dilemmas involving technology use, dual roles, and digital documentation in psychological services.

Ray W. Christner, PsyD

Ray W. Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist in Pennsylvania, a nationally certified school psychologist, and a nationally registered health service psychologist. He specializes in clinical and school psychology, and he is board-certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology. Operating an independent practice in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Dr. Christner also provides telepsychology services in 41 states as an authorization holder of the APIT (Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) and the TAP (Temporary Authorization to Practice). His clinical work includes psychotherapy, psychological and neuropsychological testing, consultation services, and program evaluations. He works with children, adolescents, and adults with psychological, developmental, social, behavioral, and learning differences. 

A recognized author and speaker, Dr. Christner has contributed extensively to the field through numerous publications and presentations. His book, Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Educational Settings: A Handbook for Practice (now in its 3rd edition), has been translated into Japanese, Korean, and Romanian. Additionally, Dr. Christner shares his thoughts on topics related to psychology as the cohost of the podcast Psyched to Practice and writes the Living Psyched blog for Psychology Today. His work has garnered attention from prominent media outlets such as Today, Parents, Newsweek, Lifehacker, Yahoo!Life, ABC, Fox, Special Education Connection, and Authority Magazine, to name a few.
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