Laban's addiction specific chemical dependency home study trainings

Laban's Addiction Specific Trainings

Course Sample

While the course content obviously differs from course to course, the basic layout is similar in each training. We try and place questions strategically throughout the workbook to both keep the reading interesting/challenging, and to reinforce what you've read. The questions in the workbook do NOT need to be filled in; they're intended to help you learn. In fact, most counselors prefer not to write in the workbook in order to have a 'clean' appearance for future reviews. Following the question, each answer will generally be italicized or bolded.

Heres a sample page from one of our courses (21st Century Ethics in Counseling):

Counselor Competence
Q: __True __False: Brief therapy is a specific discipline that uses traditional treatment approaches in a shorter time period.

In cases where counselors must appeal managed care decisions, empirical data will support the case. Insurance companies are looking for accountability which may come from outcome instruments. Counselors must be skilled at collecting data and measuring their efficiency, especially when dealing with professionals at managed care organizations who are not mental health professionals. As stated above, knowledge and skill in brief therapy becomes more important in the managed care environment. Brief therapy is a specific discipline requiring education and training, rather than traditional approaches in a shorter time period. Training should include assessment techniques for identifying the appropriateness of brief therapy in meeting the client's needs.
Confidentiality and Informed Consent
Q: __True __False: Clients generally do not need to know how their insurance policy will impact their treatment.

In the managed care environment, counselors may be called upon to share and justify their treatment plans. It is the counselor's responsibility to avoid unwarranted disclosure of client information, unless the client or others are in clear or imminent danger. Clients may waive their right to privacy, but counselors are still to reveal only that information which is essential. Managed care plans may be confusing and overwhelming to the client. Counselors are expected to help their clients make informed choices about entering into or continuing in a counseling relationship. Clients need to understand their financial obligations and treatment plans. Clients need to know how their insurance policy will impact their treatment. There are client risks to seeking reimbursement from a managed care company.

Q: Counselors accepting clients from a managed care system have the responsibility of learning the details of that system, such as:
a. preauthorization
b. cost-control measures
c. clinical requirements
d. all of the above

Counselors accepting clients from a managed care system have the responsibility of learning the details of that system, such as preauthorization, cost-control measures, and clinical requirements. Participating as a provider within a managed care system means that the professional counselor is in agreement with the system's policies. Ethical issues (and dilemmas) may arise from counselor loyalty divided between the client and the contractual agreement with the insurance company. One of the most difficult situations is when insurance companies give incentives to mental health professionals who curtail counseling services.

Q: __True __False: While clients and practitioners believe they are the owners of their records, some managed care contracts often state that the insurance company owns the records.

Record Keeping According to a 1999 survey by the California Health care Foundation, more than half of the adults in the United States think that the shift from paper record-keeping systems to computer-based systems makes it more difficult to keep personal medical information confidential. Seven percent of the people surveyed said they were personally affected by improper disclosure by a health care provider, insurance plan, government agency, or an employer. They reported that the disclosure resulted in personal embarrassment or harm. Respondents who used mental health services (13%) were most likely to have a violation of their confidential medical records. Also in this survey, 15% of those surveyed reported changing doctors or paying out of pocket to protect their confidentiality. In recent years, managed care companies have become more aggressive about asking for patient information. Clients and practitioners believe they are the owners of their records, but some managed care contracts state that the insurance company owns the records.

That's all there is to it. No tricks or lengthy essay questions. The post test questions are the same questions you'll see in the workbook. The intent of the post test is to reinforce what you've learned in the workbook.

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Laban's Trainings, P.O. Box 126307, Harrisburg PA 17112
1-800-795-5278 or 1-717-657-1826