Legal and Ethical Considerations in Key Areas for Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals (Non-CE)

Overview

This interactive seminar will examine an assortment of topics related to social workers and other mental health professionals’ work with clients, primarily in Illinois. Using the NASW Code of Ethics as a foundation, we will discuss ethical practice in the context of ever-changing laws. We will look at current laws that address vulnerable client groups and social work practice, knowing that these laws are changing daily. Among the topics we will look at are artificial intelligence in therapeutic practice, mental health screenings for children, social work licensing, forced institutionalization and issues affecting the LGBT population.

Covers the cultural competency requirement for licensure (LCSW, LSW, LCPC, LPC) in the state of Illinois.

Objectives

1. Participants will examine the legal and ethical issues regarding maintaining/disclosing client information
   
2. Participants will learn about updates in the law that affect their practice with clients
   
3. Participants will understand about new laws that affect their licensure status

Registration and CE Information

• Register here for Non-CE version.
  
• Please see the CE version if you do need CEs
• The live webinar will be held November 7, 2025, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm
• Once registered, you will be able to access the course site to complete the Zoom registration to receive the link for the webinar.

Presenter: Sandra Kopels

Sandra Kopels is a Professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She received undergraduate, JD and MSW degrees from UIUC and is a licensed attorney and licensed social worker.

Prior to joining the UIUC faculty, she was the Director of the Legal Advocacy Service of the State of Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Kopels’ research and teaching focuses on legal and ethical issues as they affect social work clients and practitioners. She has received repeated recognition from the UIUC for her excellent teaching and is in demand as a conference presenter. She has authored dozens of journal articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively on subjects related to the confidentiality and disclosure of client information. Professor Kopels just ended her 10 year service as the Editor of the School Social Work Journal and is a reviewer for numerous social work journals. Professor Kopels is a member of the Illinois Chapter of NASW and has served as a member of the State of Illinois Child Welfare Employee Licensure Board. Kopels has served as a Trustee, Vice-Chair and Chair of the NASW Legal Defense Fund and is presently is Chair of its Social Work and the Courts section. She coauthored Social Work Records (Waveland Press, Inc., 2008) with Jill Doner Kagle.