Start Right Here! 🛤️ (Course Introduction)

Confidence in Ethical Decision-Making: A Course for Mental Health Professionals (6 CE Hours)

(Click the video below to view the course introduction)


Course Learning Objectives


  1. Remember the Basic Function of Your Code of Ethics
  2. Describe the link between values and behavior.
  3. Apply the principle of GO BEYOND with aspirational ethics.
  4. Understand the essential functions of confidence and how they relate to the work of mental health professionals.
  5. Improve your confidence through knowledge of cognitive efficiency, resilience, and practice.
  6. Apply the Confident Ethical Decision-Making Model to a clinical case.


Course Description


In this comprehensive course, mental health professionals embark on a transformative journey toward confident ethical decision-making. Through a series of 6 engaging modules, learner will explore the intricate interplay between personal values, professional ethics, and clinical practice, culminating in the application of a robust, confidence-building ethical decision-making process.

Module 1: Learners revisit the fundamental function of their code of ethics and recognize the profound impact of personal feelings and behaviors on clinical practice. Through the introduction of Quinn, a mental health professional grappling with emotional challenges in supervision, learners begin to examine their own emotional responses to ethical dilemmas.

Module 2: Learners explore values and ethics, delving into the essence of ethical decision-making and emphasizing the significance of aligning personal values with professional ethics. Participants engage in self-reflection exercises to identify discrepancies between personal and professional codes of ethics, laying the groundwork for growth and realignment.

Module 3: Learners define aspirational ethics and understand the intrinsic connection to personal values. By striving for the highest good despite external challenges, mental health professionals cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and ethical excellence.

Module 4: Learners redefine confidence as an internally driven belief in one's abilities, transcending mere external demeanor or success. Learners explore the essential functions of confidence, including cognitive efficiency and resilience, and integrate them into their aspirational values.

Module 5: Learners build cognitive efficiency and resilience, which are essential pillars of confident ethical decision-making. Through targeted exercises and discussions, learners develop the skills needed to navigate complex clinical scenarios with clarity and conviction.

Module 6: The culmination of the course guides participants through the application of a Confident Ethical Decision-Making Model. Drawing on their newfound understanding of values, ethics, and confidence, mental health professionals engage in reflective practice and practical application, supporting both their own professional growth and that of their colleagues.

And remember that our NBCC ACEP provider status means you may be able to utilize this course toward your license renewal!

ACEP Number: 7656 Approval Date: November 20, 2024 

The Counselor Edge. LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.7656. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Counselor Edge. LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: We enforce video watching. If you find yourself stuck in a loop, make sure you have watched the complete video, or the site will require you to return to complete it. Should you have any difficulties, email us at [email protected].

Join us on this empowering journey towards ethical excellence and confidence in mental health practice!

Meet Counselor Quinn


Quinn (they/them) is a behavioral skills therapist at a county agency. Quinn looks forward to becoming licensed within the next 4 months but is having difficulty at work. They dread supervision, because processing cases feels vulnerable. Quinn’s clinical supervisor always seems annoyed at them, which makes Quinn doubt their competence and shut down in supervision. They aren’t getting the guidance they need to feel confident in ethical decision-making.

You will walk through this course with Quinn as they learn a practical model to approach ethical decisions and improve communication skills about tough clinical cases!

Course Resources


Codes of Ethics

American Counseling Association

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

National Association of Social Workers

American Psychological Association


Journal Articles

Calo, M., Judd, B., & Peiris, C. (2024). Grit, resilience and growth‐mindset interventions in health professional students: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Medical Education, 1. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/medu.15391

Elosegi P, Rahnev D, Soto D. Think twice: Re-assessing confidence improves visual metacognition. Atten Percept Psychophys. 2024 Feb;86(2):373-380. doi: 10.3758/s13414-023-02823-0. Epub 2023 Dec 22. PMID: 38135781; PMCID: PMC10805928.

Engebretson, K., & Harris, H. L. (2019). Aspirational Ethics in Counseling: Expanding a Paradigm. Handbook of Counseling and Counselor Education.

Forester-Miller, H. and Davis, T. E. (2016). American Counseling Association: https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/practioner-39-s-guide-to-ethical-decision-making.pdf

Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing value-based conflicts within the counseling relationship: A decision-making model. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x

Liddington, J., & Morrison, K. (2024). Good Grief Rounds: A storytelling based debrief method and its ability to improve resilience in healthcare workers. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 67(5), e590. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.02.401

Machida, M., Otten, M., Magyar, T. M., Vealey, R. S., & Ward, R. M. (2017). Examining multidimensional sport-confidence in athletes and non-athlete sport performers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(5), 410–418. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1167934

Mansell, P. C., & Turner, M. J. (2022). Testing the REBT-I model in athletes: Investigating the role of self-confidence between irrational beliefs and psychological distress. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 63, N. PAG. https://doi-orguws.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.psychosport.2022.102284

Molewijk, B., Hem, M.H. & Pedersen, R. Dealing with ethical challenges: a focus group study with professionals in mental health care. BMC Med Ethics 16, 4 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-16-4

Ponizovskiy, V., Grigoryan, L., Kühnen, U., & Boehnke, K. (2019). Social construction of the value-behavior relation. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(934). 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00934. PMID: 31118911; PMCID: PMC6504687

Schwartz S. H., Cieciuch J., Vecchione M., Davidov E., Fischer R., Beierlein C., et al. (2012). Refining the theory of basic individual values. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 103 663–688. 10.1037/a0029393

Pauker, S. G., & Wong, J. B. (2010). How (Should) Physicians Think? A Journey From Behavioral Economics to the Bedside. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 304(11), 1233–1235. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1336

Ponizovskiy, V., Grigoryan, L., Kühnen, U., & Boehnke, K. (2019). Social construction of the value-behavior relation. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(934). 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00934. PMID: 31118911; PMCID: PMC6504687 

Randall, R., & Levitt, D. H. (2022). Values Integration in Clinical Supervision. Counseling & Values, 67(2), 167–181. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.1163/2161007X-67020005


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