F25-500 Dual Relationships: Balancing Ethical Relationships
Total Credits: 3 including 3 Ethic CEs
- Bundle(s):
- Fall 2025 Ethics Workshops | Fall 2025 Evening Series
- Categories:
- 500 Ethics | Evening
- Instructor:
- Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C
- Course Levels:
- Intermediate
- Duration:
- 3 Hours 15 Minutes
- Target Audience:
- Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
Description
This workshop will explore the importance of understanding and balancing ethical responsibilities. An emphasis will be placed in exploring dual relationships and boundary issues to enhance and improve ethical responsibilities and reduce ethical violations. This workshop will discuss common practice areas that raise ethical dilemmas and explore the code of ethics and propose various ethical decision making models that can utilized to resolve these ethical conflicts. Issues explored will be: code of ethics, understanding direct service situations, exploring professional relationships and limitations, ethical framework model, and best practice techniques. A focus will be on analyzing Criminal Law Article 3-301, Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (Title 10, .03) to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (1.06, 1.09. 1.16 & 1.17) . Participants will be able to engage in activities that will allow them to further analyze and apply the various codes of ethics to further understand dual relationships. This is an interactive workshop were cases vignettes will be presented and participants will work in a group setting to further maximize their understanding of the concepts presented.
This workshop is in accordance with and compliance with the NASW Standards with a focus on service, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, and social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients, to colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession, to the broader society.
This workshop is in compliance with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ COMAR 10.42.03.06.A(5) and with the District of Columbia Board of Social Work 17-70-7008.4. This workshop meets the Ethics CE license renewal requirements for Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Instructor
Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C Related Seminars and Products
Cruz and Associates
Ms. Cruz is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical and forensic social worker with over twenty years of experience working in the mental health and legal arena. She is a qualified expert witness in clinical and forensic social work in numerous jurisdictions and courts in Maryland and at the federal level. She concentrates on cases involving illegal or harsh sentences, post-conviction relief, modifications of sentences, and juveniles charged as adults. Ms. Cruz is the founder and CEO of Cruz & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in preparing comprehensive forensic psychosocial reports for criminal and civil matters, continuing education, and psychotherapy. When not working on cases, she is an avid continuing education presenter who specializes in trauma and ethics.
Ms. Cruz is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a BA in psychology. She received her Master of Social Work, specializing in mental health and addiction, from the University of Maryland School of School Work. In 2014, she completed an advanced two-year post-graduate Forensic Social Work Certification through the University of Maryland Continuing Education Department. In 2008, she co-created the Forensic Social Work Committee for NASW-MD. In 2010, she became the sole chair, a position she maintained until 2016, when she resigned due to other professional obligations. She continues to advocate for legislative changes. She maintains various professional memberships and affiliations and has been a professor at University of Maryland School of Social Work (Shady Grove and Baltimore campus) and has taught at Catholic University of America Social Work Graduate School.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
5:50 pm – 6:00 pm Log On
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Overview of Dual Relationships
7:30 pm – 7:45 pm Break
7:45 pm – 9:15 pm
Boundaries & Responsibilities, Multi-Media presentation & Group Discussion, Ethical Decision-Making Models, Group Activity: Case Vignettes
9:15 pm Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
-
Examine and apply the various ethical principles and the NASW Code of Ethics to further understand how to manage and/or avoid dual relationships.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to dual relationships and boundary issues.
-
Analyze and apply an ethical decision-making model that incorporates the NASW Code of Ethics and COMAR regulations to concepts of dual relationships and boundary issues.
-
Summarize key elements of balancing ethical responsibilities in relationship to the concepts of dual relationships and boundary issues.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Code of Ethics Board of Social Work Examiner (2019). Retrieved from https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Regs/10.42.03CodeofEthics.pdf
Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (2017). Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Dolgoff, R., Harrington, D., & Loewenberg, F. M. (2012). Brooks/Cole empowerment series: Ethical decisions for social work practice. Cengage Learning.
Edwards, B & Addae, R. (2015). Ethical Decision-Making Models in Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Rural Practice: Implications for Social Work Practice and Education, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics
Gallina, Nancy (2010). Conflict Between Professional Ethics and Practice Demands: Social Worker’s Perception.Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 7, Number 2
Imboden, Rachel (2020). Exploring the Relationship Between Ethics Stress and Burnout, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 17, No. 1
Reamer, F. (2018.) Ethical Standards for Social Workers’ Use of Technology: Emerging Consensus, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 15, Number 2
Topor, A., & Matscheck, D. (2021). Diversity, Complexity and Ordinality: Mental Health Services Outside the Institutions—Service Users’ and Professionals’ Experience-Based Practices and Knowledges, and New Public Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18.
Valutis, S. & Rubin, D. (2016). Value Conflicts in Social Work: Categories and Correlates. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 13(1): 11-24.
Course Completion & CE Information
Category I Maryland BSWE Requirement
The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education programs. This workshop qualifies for {3} Category I Continuing Education Units for Ethics. The Office of Continuing Professional Education is also authorized by the Maryland Board of Psychologists and the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors to sponsor Category A continuing professional education.
Please refer to the tab "Live Interactive Webinar Policies & FAQs" for UMSSW Office of CPE policies regarding all live interactive webinar related matters.
Evaluation
Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.
After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Live Interactive Webinar Platforms
LIVE INTERACTIVE WEBINAR PLATFORMS
The Office of Continuing Professional Education hosts Live Interactive Webinars through two platforms: Zoom and WebEx.
Both platforms offer high quality and user-friendly webinar platforms for our registrants.
System Requirements:
- Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher; MacOS 9 or higher; Android 4.0 or higher.
- Internet Browser: Google Chrome; Firefox 10.0 or higher.
Our system is not compatible with the Safari web browser.
- Broadband Internet Connection: Cable, High-speed DSL and any other medium that is internet accessible.
**Please have your device charging at all times to ensure that your device does not lose power during the webinar.
Course Interaction Requirements:
To participate in Live Interactive Webinars, you MUST have a device that allows you to view the presentation on screen and hear the instructor at all times. We do not allow participants to call-in from their phones or mobile devices and solely listen to the presentation. Participation in Live Interactive Webinars is mandatory.
Webinar Policies & FAQs
Click The Link to View The Webinar Policies & FAQs
https://umbsswcpe.ce21.com/Page/live-interactive-webinar-procedures-policies-4129
Code of Conduct
The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics. This policy is to ensure that the training environment for social work professionals remains respectful, productive, and conducive to learning. Disruptive behavior that interferes with the learning process, disrupts the training experience for others, or undermines the integrity of the program will not be tolerated.
Expectations for Participant Engagement:
In alignment with the NASW Code of Ethics and the University of Maryland Baltimore Code of Conduct, participants are expected to demonstrate professionalism, which includes respecting confidentiality, maintaining a collaborative and respectful tone, and contributing positively to the group dynamic. Disclosures made during the training (e.g., case studies or personal reflections) must be handled with care and in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines.
All participants in the training program are expected to:
- Engage actively in the learning process and show respect for the opinions and contributions of others.
- Demonstrate professionalism in both attitude and behavior, maintaining respect for instructors, peers, and the training environment.
- Maintain open communication by expressing concerns or disagreements constructively and respectfully.
- Follow the guidelines and expectations provided by instructors and facilitators.
- Support a collaborative learning environment where all participants feel valued and safe to contribute.
Instructors and CPE staff reserve the right to dismiss participants who do not adhere to ethical/professional principles and standards. If removed, CEs will be adjusted to reflect the time attended, unless otherwise specified.
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** Cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.