Approved CE Provider for:Â
Your processes and decision-making in high-risk situations could be the difference between protecting your client or increasing your liability.
Assessing Risk of Harm is designed specifically to address the unique needs of licensed therapists in private practice who don't have an in-house legal team or risk management department to consult. Through real-world examples, legal context, and clinical guidance, you'll learn how to confidently navigate high-risk situations such as suicide, homicide, child abuse, and domestic violence. You'll also explore strengths and limitations of safety planning, myths behind no-harm contracts, and the role of supervision in risk assessment.
Whether you're a seasoned clinician or new to private practice, this course will sharpen your ability to assess risk, make ethical decisions under pressure, and document your clinical judgment in a way that protects both your clients and your license.
Gain clarity, reduce liability, and feel better equipped to handle the most complex risks you face as a therapist.
Program OverviewÂ
Assessing Risk of Harm" is a five-part continuing education program designed to equip licensed therapists—especially those in private practice—with the knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment necessary to effectively assess and respond to various types of harm-related risk in therapeutic settings. The program covers self-harm and harm to others, the use and limitations of no-harm contracts and safety plans, supervisory responsibilities in risk management, mandated child abuse reporting, and an introduction to assessing domestic violence. Emphasizing real-world application, legal implications, and ethical best practices, the course guides clinicians in identifying risk levels, making appropriate referrals, documenting thoroughly, and consulting effectively to ensure client safety and minimize liability.
Program Learning Objectives
Differentiate between no-harm contracts and safety plans, including clinical utility, legal implications, and limitations in managing risk.
Describe best practices for supervising pre-licensed clinicians in high-risk situations, including establishing clear expectations, legal responsibilities, and documentation requirements.
Identify mandated reporting obligations related to child abuse, including the nuances of state-specific laws, failure-to-protect considerations, and balancing confidentiality with legal obligations.
Recognize the various typologies of domestic violence and assess when therapeutic interventions such as couples counseling may be contraindicated.
About BrandiÂ
Brandi Morgan Matthews, LMFT-S, Attorney at Law
As an LMFT-S and Attorney in Oklahoma, I previously founded and owned a multi-location group therapy practice for more than a decade. During my 15 years of practice as a therapist, I specialized in working with children and families in the context of divorce and custody matters. Since 2010, I have practiced law focused exclusively on the areas of: (1) child advocacy, including serving as a court-appointed guardian ad litem and parenting coordinator; and (2) legal consultation and representation for mental health professionals.
Today, my law practice focuses exclusively on serving mental health professionals in Oklahoma. Consultations include all issues related to the practice of therapy such as responding to subpoenas, court orders, records requests, and licensing board complaints to complex legal issues including suicide and homicide assessment, child abuse reporting, and domestic violence.
Through my years of experience as an attorney and mental health professional, I have consistently seen the need for quality continuing education on legal and ethical issues to help therapists proactively address and avoid costly legal issues--especially for therapists in private practice. To fill that need, my continuing education programs are dedicated to helping therapists build legally sound, profitable, streamlined, and sustainable businesses that make a significant impact--without the overwhelm, exhaustion, and burnout that is all too common to our profession.