Exploring Ethical Considerations in Harm Reduction

About the Event

Harm reduction is a general term for pragmatic interventions aimed at reducing problematic behaviors. This training will describe the key principles of harm reduction and explore fundamental ethical considerations. The value of harm reduction strategies in practice and key considerations for clinical practice will be outlined and helpful clinical resources will be shared with attendees. Explore key harm reduction perspectives such as the tree of liberation and the value of utilizing Motivational Interviewing skills. Examples of harm reduction in the areas of hoarding, substance use, and self-injury will be presented. Learners will gain valuable perspectives on harm reduction benefits and ethical considerations and have a framework for evaluating the efficacy of approaches in care.

This is a live online event. It will be conducted via Zoom Webinar.

Live Event Instructor

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held clinical positions as an outpatient and in-home therapist, and clinical supervisor. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work for 10 years at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and a Field Liaison and Field Instructor. She has also held administrative positions as a program Director and Coordinator. Diane is a popular local and national trainer on a wide variety of mental health and workplace development topics for clinicians and corporations. Diane is most passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders. For fun, Diane loves to spoil her four Dachshunds and rock out to 80’s music.

Target Audience

This live interactive webinar is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, you should be able to:

1 Describe key principles of harm reduction and identify at least three ethical considerations.
2 Identify at least three examples of harm reduction for specific problems and populations.
3 Explain the value of harm reduction strategies in practice and key considerations for clinical practice.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 8:00 am US Pacific Time.

11:00–11:10 - I. Introduction (10 min)

Welcome and objectives overview
Define harm reduction and ethical relevance
Introduce learning objectives
Opening vignettes (4 clinical case examples)

11:10–11:30 - II. Conceptual Foundations of Harm Reduction (20 min)

Definition and philosophy of harm reduction
Comparison: Abstinence-Only vs. Harm Reduction
- Pros and cons discussion
Harm reduction as a client-centered and strengths-based approach
Broader applications (addiction, self-injury, hoarding, hypersexuality, disease management)

11:30–12:00 - III. Ethical and Professional Context (30 min)

NASW Ethics and harm reduction in social work
- Self-determination, competence, public health focus
Key ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice
Trauma-informed care and harm reduction (SAMHSA principles)
Cultural and structural considerations:
- Intersectionality, equity, and social determinants of health

12:00–12:30 - IV. Practical Harm Reduction Strategies (30 min)

Real-world examples:
- Needle exchange programs
- Naloxone distribution
- Fentanyl test strips
- Safer injection and sexual practices
- Hoarding and self-injury harm minimization
Video: “Harm Reduction Truths”
Group discussion: “Do You Practice Harm Reduction in Life?”

12:30–12:45 BREAK

12:45–1:00 - V. The Self of the Worker (15 min)

Reflecting on personal values, biases, and boundaries
Worker stances (Springer’s Framework)
Authenticity, transparency, and compassion in practice

1:00–1:30 - VI. Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change (30 min)

Overview of Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- OARS, DARN-C(C), and Change Talk
- MI conversation examples
Assessing Readiness to Change
Developing collaborative harm reduction plans
Role-play or reflection activity: therapist-client dialogue practice

1:30–2:00 - VII. Applied Case Studies and Discussion (30 min)

Group or breakout discussions using case vignettes
Identify harm reduction goals, ethical dilemmas, and cultural considerations
Explore resistance, readiness, and clinician responses
Supplemental Case Study: Lexi

2:00–2:15 - VIII. Specialized Harm Reduction Applications (15 min)

Hoarding: safety, health, and comfort-based objectives
Self-Injury: safe practice guidelines, slowing process, wound care
Clinical handouts and worksheets review
Closing Q&A

Policies

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If you need to cancel your registration for a webinar, please contact our support team for assistance prior to the event. Please note our refund policy, above.

If the activity must be cancelled by the provider, all attendees will receive an email notifying them of the cancellation. The email will also provide details about transferring the registration to another educational activity or receiving a refund of the registration fee. As always, you can contact our support team if you have questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you register, you'll receive an email with the link and instructions to join the live event. The event will be hosted via Zoom Webinar. You may test your Zoom connection prior to the event at the Zoom Test page We recommend logging in 10-15 minutes early to be sure your connection is ready.

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Exploring Ethical Considerations in Harm Reduction

Event Details

Related Topics

About the Event

Live Event Instructor

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Target Audience

Learning Objectives

Disclosure to Learners

Planners and Reviewers

Faculty

Commercial support

Event Agenda

Policies

Frequently Asked Questions

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Exploring Ethical Considerations in Harm Reduction

Event Details

Related Topics

About the Event

Live Event Instructor

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Target Audience

Learning Objectives

Disclosure to Learners

Planners and Reviewers

Faculty

Commercial support

Event Agenda

Policies

Frequently Asked Questions

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

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