California Law for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)

Target Audience: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in the state of California

Course Description: This course takes the many nuances of California law and regulation and puts them in digestible, easy-to-apply language for marriage and family therapists.

This course covers the following subject areas:

• scope of practice
• licensing requirements
• unprofessional conduct
• informed consent
• confidentiality and privilege
• working with minors (including child abuse reporting)
• working with elders and dependent adults
• business and marketing
• technology

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the scope of practice for marriage and family therapists
• List the licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists
• List the actions that constitute unprofessional conduct for marriage and family therapists
• Describe the requirements for informed consent and issues related to disclosure
• Analyze the principles underlying confidentiality and privilege and distinguish between them
• Analyze key laws related to the treatment of minors
• Analyze key laws related to the treatment of elder and dependent adults
• Analyze the legal requirements for advertising services
• Analyze the legal requirements for telehealth

Course Components:

• Textbook (NOT included, must be purchased separately by participant)
  - Required textbook: Benjamin E. Caldwell. (2017, 2018, or 2019). Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs (4th, 5th, or 6th ed.). 
  - Available at author's website (see below), Amazon, etc.
• Multiple choice online exam (included)
• Electronic certificate of completion (free)

We allow you to obtain the textbook on your own to afford you greater flexibility. You can borrow from the library or a friend, or purchase a new or used copy for yourself or with a group of friends. (Available at author's website: Click Here)

Course Credit(s): 10 CE Credits or Hours

Course Format: Book-Based (format of this course is noninteractive)

Course Schedule: Self-paced

Course Author(s): Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD, LMFT

Content Publisher(s): Benjamin E. Caldwell

Course Author(s) Qualifications:

Dr. Caldwell is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Adjunct Professor at California State University Northridge and at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. He has spent more than 10 years doing policy work in the mental health professions, including several years as chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee for the California Division of AAMFT. 

Course Level: Beginning/Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced

Reminder: The information presented in this course is for informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as ethical or legal advice. For ethical or legal advice, please contact a professional organization, state licensing board, or attorney.

The following are California BBS-recognized approval agencies:
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)