Ethical Dimensions of Psychotherapy in Quebec

Current Status

Not Enrolled

Price

CA$800.00

Get Started

Take this Course
As mental health practitioners, we are faced with challenging dilemmas that bring about ethical concerns on a regular basis. We also carry a great responsibility towards our client’s well-being and there are times that the client’s best interest is not that easily identifiable, as competing factors may present themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that we develop skills to enhance ethical decision making. Doing so protects ourselves, our profession, our clients, and the public. Considering the importance of this topic and the fact that this class has only been offered in French in the province of Quebec, we are proud to announce that DBN Elite is the first to make this class available also to our English speaking colleagues. At DBN Elite we favor aristodemic scientific practices intended to bring about paradigm shifts akin to the Copernican and Newtonian revolutions, offering courses in many languages to ensure the best possible client outcomes and ethical practices is one of these paradigm shifts.
In this course, we will delve into the Code of Ethics of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ). Using the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) Standards of Practice as a guide, we will discuss ethical behaviour in daily professional practice, as well as less common and emerging ethical dilemmas in working with a variety of populations and contexts. Students will learn to engage in and reflect on ethical decision-making processes. The course will conclude with a section on the clinical application of ethics as it relates to note taking.

DBN Elite is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. DBN Elite maintains responsibility for the program.

Download Pdf​
Course Clientele

Psychotherapists wishing to obtain a psychotherapy permit with the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. The course is 30 hours (2 credits) and will be available online on the DBN Elite website. The course must be completed within 6 months of purchasing it.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Interpret the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec ethical code and apply its regulations to conflicts and situations in a clinical setting.
  2. Recognize the limitations of the code of ethics and develop the ability to diverge from the outlined standards in a professional and appropriate manner.
  3. Define and uphold the academic and professional qualifications deemed necessary to become a member of the OPQ.
  4. A better understanding of the level of detail that should be included in an evaluation summary and SOAP notes from an ethical perspective.

In order to assess your understanding of the material presented in the course, you will be submitting three assignments: two in case study assignments and one derogation assignment. Additionally, you will complete a final exam. The three assignments will be graded based on the pass or fail system, a pass defined as a grade of 75%.

  • Case study assignment: The assignment will be composed of three case studies based on the topics covered in the course. Students will be required to respond to each case study in 300-400 words. Each response should adhere to the following structure:
    • Identify a reasonable exception
    • Adequately justify the derogation

This assignment will be worth 15% of your final grade.

  • Exams:
    • Midterm: Students will complete an exam composed of 25 questions based on the first half of the course.
    • Final: Students will complete a final exam composed of 35 questions based on the second half of the course.

In both exams, all questions will be true or false and multiple choice.  The midterm exam is worth 30% of your final grade and the final exam is worth 40%.

Breakdown of evaluations:

Case Study Assignment 

15%

Derogation Assignment

15%

Midterm Exam

30%

Final Exam

40%

Total:

100%

Part 1: OPQ Code of Ethics

Introduction and Overview of Terms

Duties and Responsibilities Towards Clients

  • Consent
  • Confidential information
  • Rights of access to information and correction of documents
  • Review a real life ethical dilemma

Midterm Exam

Professional Standards and Services

  • Conflict of interest and professional independence
  • Withdrawal of professional services
  • Quality of professional Services
  • Use of psych material
  • Fees

Duties and Obligations Towards the Public and the Profession

  • Duties and obligations Towards the public
  • Duties and obligations Towards the profession
  • Research
  • Advertising
  • Use of the graphic symbol

Part 2:  Application in Clinical Practice: Note Taking

Initial Assessment

  • Clinical assessment
  • Mental status evaluation
  • Hypothesis building

Writing Reports

  • Report format

Writing Letters

  • Letter to physician
  • Letter requesting accommodation
  •  Letter requesting leave of absence

SOAP Notes

  • Subjective
  • Objective
  • Assessment
  • Plan

Submit Derogation Assignment

Final exam