2 CE Credit Hour On Demand Training on Washington State’s New Confidentiality Standards
Navigating Washington’s New Confidentiality Standards for LMHCs, LMFTs, and Social Workers: a 2025 Update
presented by Eric Ström, JD, PhD, LMHC
2 legal ethical CE credit hours
As of July 27th 2025, the legal framework for confidentiality in behavioral health practice will undergo a significant shift in Washington State. Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Social Workers will now be subject to the standards of RCW 70.02—Washington’s Uniform Health Care Information Act—through its incorporation into RCW 18.225.105.
On Demand Self Study
This 2-hour ethics workshop is designed to prepare clinicians for this critical change. Participants will examine how the newly aligned laws alter confidentiality obligations, reshape definitions of protected information, and introduce updated rules around disclosures, client rights, and documentation practices.
Through step-by-step analysis, practical examples, and discussion, this training will equip attendees to confidently navigate the new legal landscape while upholding core ethical principles. This course is intended to meet Washington’s ethics CEU requirement.
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Who is this event for?
This updated introductory-level course for counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and clinical and counseling psychologists with a Washington State license or are otherwise able to practice in Washington State.
In Person Practices
Hybrid Practices
Teletherapy Only Practices
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Legal Perspective
Identify the sources of legal standards relating to confidentiality
Strategies for Disclosure
Describe when disclosure of client information is required and when disclosure of client information is allowed.
State and Federal Requirements
Understand the relationship between Washington State statutes and federal regulations with respect to client confidentiality
Course Details
2 CE Credit Hour. Self Study
Title: Navigating Washington’s New Confidentiality Standards for LMHCs, LMFTs, and Social Workers: a 2025 Update
Authors/Presenters: Eric Ström, JD, PhD, LMHC
CE Length: 2 CE credit hours, legal-ethical
Legal-Ethical CE Hours: 2 legal-ethical CE hour
Educational Objectives:
- Identify the sources of legal standards relating to confidentiality;
- Understand the relationship between Washington State statutes and federal regulations with respect to client confidentiality;
- Describe when disclosure of client information is required;
- Describe when disclosure of client information is allowed.
Syllabus:
- Sources of Legal & Ethical Standards
- Confidentiality Rules
- Required disclosures
- Discretionary disclosures
- Disclosures we often shouldn’t make
Meet Our Presenters
Presented by
Eric Strom JD PhD LMHC
Eric Ström JD PhD LMHC, is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s counseling practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans as well as providing supervision and consultation to other clinicians. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Eric earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University, a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.
Resources & Citations
Federal Regulations
- 45 C.F.R. § 164.506
- 42 C.F.R. § 2.13(a)
- 45 C.F.R. § 164.508
- 45 C.F.R. § 164.524
Washington State Statutes
- Revised Code of Washington § 70.02.020
- Revised Code of Washington § 18.225.105
- Revised Code of Washington § 74.34
- Revised Code of Washington § 26.44.030
Washington Administrative Code
- Washington Administrative Code § 246-809-040
- Washington Administrative Code § 246-16-235
Case Law
- Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, 17 Cal. 3d 425, 551 P.2d 334 (1976)
- Petersen v. State, 100 Wn.2d 421, 671 P.2d 230 (1983)
- Volk v. DeMeerleer, 386 P.3d 254 (Wash. 2016)
Accuracy, Utility, and Risks Statement: This program discusses strategies for complying with HIPAA, state rules in general, and covered ethics codes. It may not include information on all applicable state laws. Misapplication of the materials, or errors in the materials, could result in security problems, data breaches, or non-compliance with applicable laws or ethics codes.
Conflicts of Interest: None noted
Commercial Support: None.
On Demand Self Study