Continuing Education in Professional Psychology: Do Ethics Mandates Matter?

Abstract

Do continuing education (CE) mandates increase participation in ethics programs and enhance their perceived outcomes? In a study of 5,198 North American psychologists, significant differences were found between mandated and nonmandated psychologists in relation to their participation in ethics programs but not in the perceived outcomes associated with those trainings. Although 64.3% of those psychologists operating under ethics mandates reported completing at least one ethics training within the previous year, only 40.7% of those without such mandates reported doing likewise. Overall, both groups tended to view their ethics training quite favorably in relation to its perceived outcomes, though they differed in relation to their endorsement of CE mandates. Results are discussed in relation to the ongoing development of evidence-based CE and its role in developing critical professional competencies.

“Better issues to focus on”: Transgender Microaggressions as Ethical Violations in Therapy

“…Released from the formal examinations and supervisor evaluations found in graduate training, further professional development relies on the individual to intentionally seek new information via research literature, continuing education (CE) credits, and interpersonal experiences. Although therapists are mandated by licensing laws to participate in continuing education, the effectiveness of continuing education offerings in changing therapist behavior has been debated (Adams & Sharkin, 2012; Neimeyer et al, 2011). As such, Rønnestad and Skovholt (2003) highlight continuous reflection, integration of professional and personal domains, and an intense commitment to learn as central to the development of therapists outside of formal continuing education.…”

Do continuing education mandates matter? An exploratory study of the relationship between CE regulations and disciplinary actions.

“…This finding is inconsistent with the self-report of psychologists, however, who consistently indicate that their CE programs in ethics frequently translate into their practices, make them more ethical practitioners, and reduce their professional liability (Neimeyer et al, 2011). The discrepancy between these self-report data and the data on disciplinary actions could be accounted for in a number of ways.…”

“…Consistent with this line of thought is the work of Neimeyer et al (2011) who studied participation in CE programs within states that do, and do not, require the completion of ethics programs. Whereas 64% of the psychologists in ethics-mandating states had completed at least one CE program in ethics over the course of the previous year, 41% of those in nonmandating jurisdictions had done likewise, and there were no differences in the perceived outcomes associated with their ethics trainings in these jurisdictions.…”

“…Substantial percentages of psychologists also report that their experiences contribute significantly to their levels of leaming (64%) and translate frequently into their practices (64%). Overall, the majority of professional psychologists report that their formal continuing education experiences make them more effective (81.1%) and ethical (72.2%) practitioners (Neimeyer et al, 2009(Neimeyer et al, , 2011. And, although the public incorrectly assumes that being a licensed mental health professional necessarily requires the periodic review and evaluation of their skills (AARP, 2007), professional psychologists still largely retain the public trust and are viewed as generally effective providers of mental health services (Richardson & Handal, 1995).…”

Review of Ethics Continuing Education Requirements in State Licensure Laws for Speech-Language Pathologists

“…This has been studied extensively in psychology; for example, Neimeyer, Taylor, and Wear (2011) examined the perceptions of the importance of ethics education for psychologists. They report that most licensed practitioners who choose to pursue continuing education in ethics, whether by choice or by mandate, report considerable value from this effort, even though there is a proportion of those under regulated licensure renewal requirements who indicate less of a personal investment in the process.…”