(HS Reamer 059612 2024) Moral Injury in the Behavioral Health Professions: Navigating Clinical and Ethical Challenges

Course overview

Mental health practitioners often witness, do or cant stop things that clash with their core beliefs. And these events can leave a deep emotional bruise often known as moral injury or distress. The clinician with expertise in treating intimate partner violence who learns of the terrible suffering of their client and cant stop it. The therapist working with a child living in an abusive home who has to make a mandated report and fears that their report will make things worse. An ethical dilemma around accurate diagnosis when that label will carry risks for the client. Moral injury goes beyond work stress. And its dangerous to overlook, causing distress in the clinician and creating risk for the client. These adverse effects are so debilitating that some practitioners consider leaving the profession they love. In this training, author and leading expert on professional ethics and moral injury Frederic Reamer, PhD, will provide guidance to behavioral health practitioners who grapple with these unwanted and unnerving situations and their aftermath. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Reamer discusses moral injury, moral distress, and demoralization as well as provides a comprehensive overview of: The signs and symptoms of moral injury and moral distress in the behavioral health professions How to demystify whistleblowing for ethical alignment and strong professional advocacy Strategies to buffer against vicarious trauma and leverage post-traumatic growth Potential consequences of moral injury, including harm to clients or the risk of malpractice claims Top strategies to develop and maintain moral courage in the face of ethical challenges Through extensive and relatable case studies, Dr. Reamer illustrates the myriad ethical dilemmas that behavioral health practitioners face in their careers and provides a powerful reminder that you are not alone in the struggles you face.