MICHAEL SORSDAHL: CCPA’S NEW ETHICS CASE BOOK AND WHY YOU MUST READ IT | EP 108

MEET MICHAEL

Michael Sorsdahl is a practicing psychologist in BC and Alberta, and is currently the ethics chair for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Ethics Complaints Division.

Learn more about Michael on his practice website, LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles.

In This Episode

• Why the new ethics case book is important for counsellors 
• The four sections of the book  
• Ethics have to be current 
• Multiple relationships

Why the new ethics case book is important for counsellors 

This book is a complement to the standard ethics of practice that the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) created. 

‘We had an older version of our ethics case book study text… that was written in 2015 based on our earlier codes of ethics and standards of practice. Because codes of ethics and standards of practice evolve over time … That requires an amendment, an adaptation, of things to make sure that there’s an alignment.’ – Michael Sorsdahl 

This ethics case book that Michael and his team have developed is focused on bringing to life our code of ethics and standards of practice that are new. It’s different from the older textbook because Michael and his team designed this book in a way that reads more practically than theoretically – although it can be used for theory as well. 

There are reading pieces as well as actual case studies to work through, which gives it the practical advantage and some deeper knowledge. 

‘One of the major benefits that this brought in [is] that we give some potential solutions [to the case studies] that came from actual practitioners in the field that wrote to the case dilemmas that we canvassed and brought in across Canada … Multiple solutions to the same case studies.’ – Michael Sorsdal

Although there are best practices and recommendations that are more in alignment in the codes based on historical precedence, there is more no “this is the only way” to do something, and that’s what this book is teaching.

Ethics have to be current 

Ethics will naturally evolve with time because it is the study and practice of handling people and situations correctly, and people are constantly changing too. 

As a responsible and compassionate counsellor, it is part of your job to know how the lines shift, change, or blur and how to navigate those changes effectively, and that means that you need to know what is happening on the ethical front. 

‘It’s about currency, right. So, when new codes of ethics or standards of practice or new kinds of legal requirements come out … Being aware of what those are and staying up to date and current because [it is] the responsibility of the therapist, and not to shy away from those challenging situations.’ – Michael Sorsdahl

Even though it is a lot to consider, it is our responsibility as the counsellor to make sure that we understand our ethical obligations. When it comes to recommended practices and ethics, it not only keeps your clients and your license safe, but you as well. 

Read more about the new CCPA ethics book at this link. 

Multiple relationships 

The ethics of multiple relationships between counsellors and clients can often be brought into discussion, especially when offering therapy in small towns or rural areas. 

For example, someone may be the therapist of their pharmacist! Which is of course a nuanced situation to navigate. 

‘When you’re in rural communities or you’re in a situation where you might be the only therapist … Then we have to start doing an ethical decision-making process around, “Do I take on multiple clients from the same family? How’s that going to work?”’ – Michael Sorsdahl 

If you are in a situation where you have multiple relationships, you need to take notes. Have clear boundaries and capture records of your choices so that if everything should ever go south, you have evidence of your decision-making and your “management” of the situation. You have to manage the situation and not hope it goes well.