222 | Ethics, Law, and Licensure: Changes and Challenges Facing Mental Health Professionals in 2023

In recent years, many changes and shifts in the APA, ACA, and NASW ethics codes have concerned psychologists and licensed mental health professionals with sincerely held religious beliefs. Physicians and other medical health care professionals are seeing the legislatures in multiple states addressing the ethical issues, especially the issue of consciousness, when it comes to practice of medicine. Those with sincerely held religious beliefs do not want to be compelled to go against their beliefs to do their jobs. In this workshop, the presenters will give a brief history of the ethics codes of these agencies over time and compare and contrast the codes of ethics to that of the AACC Y2023 Code of Ethics. Additionally, the presenters will review the current and future implications of the laws being implemented on federal, state, and local levels for medical and mental health professionals. Last, the presenters will give participants practical ways those with sincerely held religious beliefs can practice ethically with all types of clients while still maintaining their values.