Ethics in rural and insular communities present challenges not often faced, or taught, in urban environments. The course will focus on ethical dilemmas most common in such communities (multiple relationships and competence). Common ethical dilemmas will be defined and the guidelines for navigating such dilemmas will be reviewed (i.e. ethics codes). Participants will learn a new method for making ethically-informed decisions and will practice applying the model to their real world dilemmas in small groups throughout the workshop. The workshop will be interactive as well as didactic and participants will leave with a framework for managing future ethical dilemmas and, hopefully, a community of people to whom they can turn in the face of such predicaments.

Sara Boilen, PsyD., is the Chief Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Sweetgrass Psychological Services in Whitefish, MT. She earned her doctorate from the University of Denver. Dr. Boilen's practice, Sweetgrass Psychological Services, a group practice and clinical training site, aims to make mental wellness accessible and available to all. Dr. Boilen is continually working to enrich the experience of providers in rural areas as we all work together to meet the mental health needs of our neighbors. Her book, Psychology in Rural America: Case illustrations and guidance for rural practice, is available through Routledge Publishing.