Training Title:
Ethics: Diagnosing Public Figures from Afar

Clock Hours: 1

Objectives:
After completing this course, participants should be able to: • Review the implications of the Goldwater Rule • Understand when a professional can responsibly and ethically issue a mental health diagnosis • Understand the limitations on professionals about making professional comments about public figures • Be able to define “professional opinion” • Learn about working with clients holding opposing political views

Description:
The temptation to assign diagnostic labels to public figures is hard to resist, especially when the behavior of those public figures is particularly outlandish. But is it ethical to diagnose someone whom we have never met? On the other hand, is it immoral not to speak out, if we perceive that public figure as dangerous? These are not easy questions and frequent speaker Mark Smaller will address these issues. Keywords: Goldwater Rule, ethics, public figures, professional opinion

Approval Bodies