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Responsive Boundaries: Cultivating Clinical Integrity

Learn a new anti-oppressive way to manage boundaries and satisfy your WAC 246-809-630 needs for the new Professional Boundaries requirement for LMFTs, LMHCs, LICSWs, and associates. Generate an enhanced decision making model with case studies, small group breakouts, and dynamic experiential activities. Get ready to walk out with "Monday" ready skills and concepts to use at your next therapy session.

  • 2 hours

    April 10, 2026 from 10 AM-12 PM PST

    • 2 CEU credits in WA

      Professional Roles and Boundaries for WA clinicians per WAC 46-809-630 (WA DOH)
    What you are going to learn

    A few more words about this course

    Professional boundaries in Washington State have traditionally been taught through a lens of risk management and clinical distance. This course critiques the Western neutral therapy stance and its impact on boundaries, provides a comprehensive review of Washington State's regulatory landscape (RCW 18.130 and WAC 246-809-040) and review of the AAMFT and ACA Code of Ethics regarding professional boundaries while introducing the "Responsive Integrity Model." This model helps mental health professionals challenge the liability-avoiding Western approach to boundaries to better serve clients from more backgrounds, as well as adapting boundary setting to accommodate the unique sensory and communication needs of neurodivergent and other marginalized individuals.

    By the end of this presentation, you're going to be able to:

    • Differentiate WAC 246-809-630 requirements and distinguish boundary crossings from violations using AAMFT/ACA Ethics Codes
    • Critique 3 ways traditional "Western Neutral" boundaries create systemic harm for neurodivergent and other marginalized clients
    • Apply the "Responsive Integrity" Decision-Making Model to complex ethical dilemmas involving power and identity
    • Execute boundary crossing documentation strategies that meet Washington State regulations while maintaining a social-justice-oriented clinical record

    What We'll Go Over

    Dr Rachel Hughes will walk you through exactly how to make more informed clinical decisions and set boundaries your proud of with the following itinerary: 

    0:00-0:10 Welcome and Context for Presentation

    ○ Dedication, rules of engagement, objectives
    ○ “Build your therapy home” roadmap
    ○ Who you are, 5% comfort check-in

    0:10-0:25 The Plot

    ○ White supremacy, capitalism, and the Western medical system
    ○ How reactive care makes boundaries rigid
    ○ Therapist power and the Double Empathy Problem
    ○ Reframing “manipulative” vs. “direct communication”

    Our Schedule for the Morning

    0:25 to 0:40 The Frame

    ○ WAC 246-809-630 and disciplinary trends from the UDA report
    ○ Rigid, clear, and diffuse boundaries
    ○ WAC/RCW, AAMFT, NBCC/ACA, NASW, and APA comparison table
    ○ Conflicts of interest that can lead to exploitation

    0:40 to 0:55 The Yellow Zone

    ○ Red/Yellow/Green situation sort
    ○ How a reactive system distorts yellow-zone decisions
    ○ Four power asymmetry tests
    ○ Small group and debrief

    0:55 to 1:05 Making a House a Home

    ○ Your personal therapy container: no-shows, touch, screens, self-disclosure
    ○ “In Our House, we...” sign activity

    1:05 to 1:25 Responsive Decision-Making Model

    ○ Systemic context, client autonomy, clinician integrity
    ○ Notice the impulse, ground yourself, ask the four questions
    ○ When to consult, and involving the client
    ○ Group discussion of ambiguous ethical scenarios

    1:25 to 1:35 Home Insurance: Protecting Yourself with Documentation

    ○ Informed consent, boundary exception addendum, progress note
    ○ What to document

    1:35 to 1:55 Small Group Practice

    ○ Gut reaction, run the model, draft documentation
    ○ Scenarios: expression of care, texting, book club
    ○ Debrief: one disagreement and one liability-avoidance moment

    1:55 to 2:00 Questions and wrap-up

    ○ Evaluation link and certificate instructions
    I have no doubt that after taking the Responsive Boundaries training, I have a clearer process when I encounter "yellow" or ethically gray areas that come up in clinical situations. Learning specific tools/frameworks to utilize to make responsive decisions and consider power dynamics as it relates to my roles and boundaries as a person and professional left me feeling more confident.
    Melissa G., Past Responsive Boundaries Participant
    The material helped me think through how I will approach nuanced situations confidently, while adhering to ethical, legal, and personal boundaries.
    Becca J., Past Responsive Boundaries Participant

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I access my course?

    You will receive the Google Meet link from Dr. Rachel Hughes the day prior to the presentation. If you do not receive it by 5 PM, please email rachel@connect-counseling.co to receive it. The live webinar will be entirely hosted on Google Meet. To successfully attend this course, please make sure you have a stable internet connection and a computer or device that is capable of running a video stream for the full two hours.

    How do I get my certificate?

    You will receive your CEU certificate by email within 48 hours after 1) full attendance and participation in the webinar and 2) completion of the post-test exam passing with a score of at least 80% (unlimited retakes, and 3) completion of course evaluation included in your LearnWorlds course.

    If you do not receive your certificate within this time frame after completing the requirements, please email rachel@connectcounselingandconsulting.com.

    Is this course NBCC- or ASWB-approved?

    This program has been approved by the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT) for the Washington State Requirements for the Professional Roles and Boundaries course. This does not mean that the program is NBCC or ASWB approved. Please check your state licensure requirements.

    How can I request ADA accommodations for this CEU?

    is committed to providing a learning environment that is accessible to all. If you require special accommodations (e.g., closed captioning, digital materials in specific formats) to fully participate in this webinar, please submit your request to rachel@connectcounselingandconsulting.com at least 7 business days prior to the event. We will make every effort to fulfill reasonable requests to ensure an equitable learning experience.

    What is your refund policy?

    You can request a refund up to 48 hours before the webinar for a full refund minus a $5 administrative processing fee. No refunds will be offered for being unable to stay the entire time unfortunately. A recording will be sent out after the presentation for your review if you are unable to attend or miss portions of it. Don't worry!
    Please email rachel@connectcounselingandconsulting.com to make a refund request.

    In the event that Dr Rachel Hughes must cancel a live webinar due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., instructor illness or technical failure), all registered participants will be notified via the email provided at registration and offered a full refund or the option to attend the rescheduled date.

    Is this course NBCC- or ASWB-approved?

    This program is co-sponsored by the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT). WAMFT has been approved by WA DOH as a certifying continuing hours. WAMFT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This does not mean that the program is NBCC or ASWB approved.

    Dr Rachel Hughes, LMFT, CMHS, CASDCS, ADHD-CCSP, Clinical Supervisor

    About Dr Hughes

    Dr. Rachel Hughes is a dedicated systemic therapist, educator, and supervisor with over a decade of experience specializing in neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Rachel is passionate about clinical services and therapist training rooted in culturally attuned and identity-affirming methods. Dr. Hughes operates from an ACT framework, integrating strategic and experiential family therapy to help clinicians develop authentic, effective "therapy brands" with strong ethical decision-making models. Rachel believes in empowering therapists to believe in cooperation instead of competition and responsiveness instead of reactivity in their practice.

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