Preferred registration deadline: January 22nd

3 CEs

Developmental factors and youth culture often create ethical gray areas that leave even experienced professionals uncertain about the right path forward. This interactive workshop explores the unique ethical challenges that arise when working with teens and young adults, providing practioners with a practical framework for navigating these complex situations. Through current research and real-world application, you'll examine how the NASW Code of Ethics applies to youth-specific dilemmas ranging from confidentiality and consent to autonomy and family dynamics.

Please come prepared with an ethical dilemma from your own practice. We will work through it using a structured decision-making model alongside fellow participants, gaining both a replicable process and the collective wisdom of your peers.

This is an interactive synchronous distance learning course via Zoom. This class meets the licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in ethics.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45.

Return to our list of Workshops

Course Outline

Content Level: Intermediate

Target Audiences: Social workers, counselors, psychologists or other mental health professionals who work with youth.

Agenda:

• Welcome and introductions - 5 mins
• Intro to ethical dilemmas and group work - 20 mins
• Review of NASW Code of Ethics - 10 mins
• Core values and ethical principals - 20 mins
• Ethical standards and group discussion - 20 mins
• Code of Ethics updates - 10 mins
• Ethical decision-making models - 20 mins
• Case examples using decision making models - 15 mins
• Real life dilemmas - 45 mins
• Final reflection and next steps - 15 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Examine what constitutes an ethical dilemma and distinguish the unique factors that make dilemmas with teens and young adults particularly complex.
• Relate relevant sections of the NASW Code of Ethics to common ethical dilemmas encountered in youth-serving social work practice.
• Apply a structured ethical decision-making model to a real-world dilemma in collaboration with peers.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.