Ethical Considerations for Disaster Mental Health Response

Summary: 

In order to increase confidence and competence in mental health disaster response, we will discuss the ethical considerations for mental health counselors in disaster response situations. We will discuss topics of confidentiality, informed consent, and navigating disaster situations and how those differ from “normal” counseling settings. We will further discuss multicultural considerations, reporting situations, boundary setting, and technological considerations. We will conclude by working through case studies designed to integrate what was learned.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to summarize the ethical considerations for disaster response situations in communities.
2. Attendees will recognize the difference between informed consent in normal situations versus community disaster situations.
3. Attendees will identify multicultural and technological considerations in disaster response situations and will integrate their newfound knowledge with case study application.

About the Presenter:

Anna Baird (she/her) is an Idaho State University (ISU) graduate who originally hails from sunny California. She has a strong background in Feminist Counseling Theory, with a trauma lens emphasis. She was certified in EMDR during the completion of her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Anna is passionate about amplifying the voices and experiences of historically excluded persons and working with diverse populations. She enjoys spending time in the sun, at the beach, and in the water any chance she can get. She is honored to be a second year doctoral student at ISU.