Ethics & Boundaries in Rural America – A Practical Approach

Jennifer Andrashko, M.S.W., LICSW; Minnesota State University, Mankato

Kimberly Sommers, Psy.D., LP; Minnesota State University, Mankato

1.5 Continuing Education Credits

Summary Statement: Considering the role of ethics and boundaries in rural behavioral health practice requires thoughtful and intentional assessment of the realities in small communities. Practicing in rural areas will frequently challenge the capacity and skills of providers in negotiating multiple relationships.  This presentation will focus on what the research says about boundaries and ethics in rural clinical practice and offer practical tools for effective management of these often complex contexts. Case studies will be used for discussion and illustration.

Learning Objective 1: Participants will be able to list 4 concrete and proactive strategies for minimizing ethical dilemmas for children, adolescents and families.
Learning Objective 2: Participants will be able to describe various models of ethical reasoning. 
Learning Objective 3: Participants will be able to describe those unseen and unexamined factors that may prevent us from attending to relevant data, alternative solutions, and foreseeable consequences in ethical decision-making.

Intermediate Level

Bios

 Jennifer Andrashko, M.S.W., LICSW

Jennifer Andrashko is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the MSW program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Research interests include population health, maternal mental health, and social welfare policy.  Prior to her current position, Jennifer developed a Primary Integrated Behavioral Health Program at a Federally Qualified Health Center in rural Minnesota.  After working with the refugee community in rural MN, she was one of the first clinicians in the state to earn a Certificate in Refugee Mental Health. Jennifer studied Social Work at the University of Minnesota. She lives in St. Peter, MN with her partner and two young daughters.

 

 Kimberly Sommers, Psy.D., LP

Dr. Kimberly Sommers is a clinical psychologist that practices from a feminist, multicultural theoretical orientation. She is an Assistant Professor and Counselor in the Minnesota State Mankato Counseling Center. She works with college students providing individual and group therapy.  Her clinical interests include identity development, trauma, disability, body positivity, social justice, and supervision and training. Her favorite things in the world are her dog and baking bread.