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Bound to Care:
Attachment, Empathy, and the Therapists Role
(3 CE Hours)
Course Description
This self-reflective ethics course explores the nuanced intersection of empathy, power, and personal need in the counseling relationship. Whereas clinicians are trained to care deeply, that care can quietly cross ethical lines when shaped by unmet needs—for validation, connection, or impact. Through an exploration of relational boundaries, emotional over-identification, and the subtle dynamics of influence, this course invites clinicians to examine how their own humanity—when unacknowledged—may affect clinical decision-making. Rooted in ethical humility, it offers tools for awareness, repair, and growth in the therapist-client relationship.
By the end of this 3-hour course, the clinician will be able to:
- Recognize how their own attachment style (secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized) can create boundary risk in different therapeutic scenarios — especially when content is very personal or emotional.
- Differentiate empathy from sympathy in ways that allow empathy to enhance therapeutic rapport and effectiveness without slipping into over‐identification or boundary violations.
- Manage and ethically respond to emotional feelings for clients, both during therapy and after termination, in order to maintain professional integrity and safety for both therapist and client.
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].
We are thankful you chose The Counselor Edge, LLC for your training and are eager to serve you so just let us know if you need anything!
Dr. Rose
