S26-504 To Disclose or Not to Disclose, Ethically That is the Question
Total Credits: 3 Ethic CEs
- Bundle(s):
- Spring 2026 Ethics Workshops
- Categories:
- 500 Ethics
- Instructor:
- Veronica Cruz, LCSW-C
- Course Levels:
- Intermediate
- Duration:
- 3 Hours 15 Minutes
- Target Audience:
- Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
Description
Self-disclosure is an ever-present and unavoidable aspect of clinical and macro social work. So how does one determine when to disclose and when to not disclose? Ethically, what helps someone determine their answer? According to Frederic Reamer, many social workers are reluctant to disclose personal information to clients because doing so may stir up complicated transference and countertransference issues that may be counterproductive clinically. Yet sometimes self-disclosure is inevitable, and therefore it is imperative to skillfully handle self-disclosure to avoid or reduce ethical dilemmas. When self-disclosure is not handled effectively it can lead to boundary issues and/or dual relationships.
This workshop will explore the importance of understanding and exploring the ethics of self-disclosure. We will examine the intersection between ethics, self-disclosure, and boundary-setting. A focus will be on analyzing various ethical codes: Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (Title 10, .03, .04 & .05) to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (1.01, 1.04, and 1.06 a-h). This is an interactive workshop where case 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 meets the Ethics CE license renewal requirements for Maryland and the District of Columbia. The 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.
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:
12:50 – 1:00 pm Log on
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Introductions
Learning Objectives
Power-point presentation (Overview of Self Disclosure)
Visual Presentation (Boundary Setting)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Power-point Presentation (Values & Codes of Ethics)
Case Vignettes
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm Break
2:45 pm – 4:15 pm
Power-point Presentation (Ethical Decision-Making Models)
Case Vignettes
Questions & Answers
4:15 Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Examine attendees’ knowledge of various direct and indirect service situations and the importance of balancing ethical responsibilities to ethically manage self-disclosure.
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Demonstrate an understanding of self-disclosure and the intersection with boundary setting, countertransference, and transference.
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Evaluate the four types of self-disclosure: deliberate, unavoidable, accidental, and client-initiated.
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Analyze and deconstruct an array of case examples utilizing various ethical decision-making models to reduce or eliminate ethical violations.
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Summarize key elements of balancing ethical responsibilities in relationship to the concepts of self-disclosure 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, Ralph et. al. (2011). Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice, 9th Edition, Cengage Learning.
Harvey, J. & Boyton, K. (2021) Self-Disclosure and Psychological Resilience: The Mediating Roles of Self Esteem and Self-Compassion, Interpsona, Vol. 15 (1), 90-104
Ho, A. et al. (2018) Psychological, Relational, and Emotional Effects of Self Disclosure After Conversations with a Chatbot, Journal of Communication, 68, 712-733
Imboden, Rachel (2020) Exploring the Relationship Between Ethics Stress and Burnout, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 17, No. 1
Kreiner, H. & Levi-Belz.Y (2019) Self-Disclosure Here and Now: Combining Retrospective Perceived Assessment with Dynamic Behavioral Measures, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 19, Article 558
Longmire, Katelyn (2019) Counselor Self-Disclosure: The Impact of Disclosing Mental Health Clients, Counselor Education Capstones, 112
Reamer, Frederic (2018) Ethical Standards for Social Workers’ Use of Technology: Emerging Consensus, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 15, Number 2
Reamer, Frederic (2022) Managing Ethics Challenges in Social Work Organizations: A Comprehensive Strategy, Advances in Social Work, 22 (1)
Valutis, S. & Rubin, D. (2016) Value Conflicts in Social Work: Categories and Correlates, Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 13, Number 1
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.
ADA Accommodations
To request ADA accommodations:
Please email our office at least four (4) weeks before the workshop. Late requests may not be accommodated.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On 06/11/26, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop.
For more information, please read the general policies on our website.