Date: August 1, 2026

Preventing Boundary Violations in the Therapy Relationship

Therapeutic boundaries define the roles and limitations of the relationship between therapist and client. Primary areas of concern include dual relationships both sexual and non-sexual, setting and managing professional boundaries, the risks of bartering, delayed discovery in multiple relationships, and managing counter transference reactions. Additionally, psychotherapists today are challenged as ethical decision makers by the ever-expanding development and use of various forms of telehealth. Literature updates, expert opinions, and relevant ethics codes will be discussed.


The class meets the professional boundaries course requirement for New York mental health professionals as well as the ethics course requirement in most other states.

Format

Live Webinar

Credits

3.0

Instructor

Pamela Harmell Ph.D.

Price

$ 99

WEBINAR objectives

Preventing Boundary Violations in the Therapy Relationship

  • Describe how to place concerning multiple relationship behavior in a contextual frame in order to recognize potential damage to the client
  • Describe the importance of awareness of burnout and countertransference with regard to potential boundary violations
  • State when it is appropriate and inappropriate to write a letter for a client requesting some special services

Instructor

Pamela Harmell Ph.D.

Pamela Harmell Ph.D. is a national lecturer specializing in legal and ethical issues in clinical practice. She is a Clinical Professor at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology and has written extensively in professional publications on ethical practice and has formally studied law. She is the Past President of the Board of Psychology. Dr. Harmell is former Chair of the California State Ethics Committee and former Chair of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association Ethics Committee. She served on the Board of Directors of the California Psychological Association and is Past President of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.

About this webinar

The webinar is a live, interactive class. You will view the webinar in real time from your home or office on a computer, tablet (e.g., iPad) or phone. You will be able see the speaker and the slides, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and respond to polls. You will have access to the handouts, which you can view on your computer or download and print.

You will need to show up on time to receive credit, just like at an in-person class, but you can wear whatever you’d like! The class will run from 10am to 1:15pm Pacific Time. There will be a morning and afternoon break and a break for lunch. At the end of the class you will need to take a post-test and receive a score of 75% or above to pass. You have up to three attempts to pass the post-test. Most people pass on their first attempt. After two attempts to pass the post-test you will need to contact our office and you will be provided with one more attempt to pass the post-test. The post-test will only be available at the end of the class. Once you pass the post-test, you will complete an evaluation online and then you will receive your Certificate of Attendance online, which you can view and print.

Cancellation policy

There is a $35.00 processing fee, per seminar, for refunds requested by the Wednesday prior to the weekend of the webinar. After that time, there will be no refunds. If a course must be cancelled due to an unforeseen event (e.g., natural disaster, instructor illness), the webinar will be rescheduled. Participants will be credited to take the rescheduled course or another PPS webinar. No refunds will be given.

Live Webinar FAQs

If two or more people sign-up for the same class, are there any discounts?

No, there are currently no discounts if two or more people sign up for the webinar.

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

There is a $35.00 processing fee, per live webinar, for refunds requested at least 48 hours before the live webinar. After that time there will be no refunds, but credit will be given for a future live webinar.

If we at PPS need to cancel a class at the last minute due to an unforeseen event (e.g., natural disaster, instructor illness), the webinar will be rescheduled. You will be credited to take the rescheduled course or another PPS webinar. No refunds will be given.

If we at PPS need to cancel a class due to low enrollment, your registration fee will be refunded in full or you can take another PPS class.