Wednesday, February 11th
12:30 PM ET – 3:45 PM ET
Overview:
The rapid expansion of digital technology and social media has transformed how therapists and clients interact, raising complex ethical questions about confidentiality, boundaries, and professional conduct. Psychotherapists must navigate challenges such as online searches, digital self-disclosure, telehealth communication, and the management of personal and professional identities in an increasingly connected world.
In this training, Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT, will provide a framework for understanding how digital tools, social media, and telehealth practices intersect with ethical standards of confidentiality and boundaries. Participants will explore distinctions between boundary crossings and violations, examine the risks and responsibilities inherent in online communication, and review strategies for creating and maintaining secure and ethical digital boundaries with clients. Special attention will be given to the ethical implications of newer technologies and the enduring importance of critical thinking and professional judgment in online practice.
Objectives:
- Differentiate between boundary crossings and boundary violations and explain their significance for ethical practice.
- Compare and evaluate at least three approaches to addressing boundary issues in both traditional and digital contexts.
- Explain three primary ethical considerations in the use of newer communication technologies with clients.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides an overview of ethical considerations in digital practice, including confidentiality, boundaries, and professional conduct in online contexts. The material is intended for educational purposes and does not replace legal advice, institutional policies, or specialized certification. Participants are encouraged to integrate the concepts within their professional scope of practice, ethical codes, and licensure requirements.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Kirsten Lind Seal has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Participation in this webinar does not require the purchase of any additional products or materials.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT
Kirsten Lind Seal, PhD, LMFT is a nationally recognized expert in ethics and relationships, teaching ethics at both Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Adjunct Associate Professor) and Chaminade University of Honolulu (Core Ethics Faculty). She conducts trainings on ethics and cross-cultural issues across the U.S. and internationally, with her work translated into French and Italian. Dr. Lind Seal’s research and case studies have been featured in Psychology Today, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Family Process, and Psychotherapy Networker. In her fully virtual private practice, she works with individuals, couples, and families, and offers ethics consultations to fellow clinicians. She is frequently sought out as a content expert by media outlets including CNN.com, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and is in her 11th year as a weekly contributor on Relationship Reboot on WCCO-TV (CBS Twin Cities).
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course.  ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.Â

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses:Â |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |