In the field of clinical psychology, adherence to ethical standards is vital, particularly when addressing complex conditions such as psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), a functional neurological disorder characterized by seizure-like episodes.
This course delves into the American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, tailored specifically to the nuances of working with adult clients diagnosed with PNES. Participants will explore key principles including beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people's rights and dignity, while navigating challenges like managing seizures in the office and during virtual sessions, stigma and blind spots, interdisciplinary collaboration, informed consent in treatment planning and contracts, and cultural sensitivity in diverse populations. By integrating real-world samples of ethical quandaries and ethical standards and principles, this course equips psychologists with the necessary knowledge to work with professional integrity and compassion when treating patients diagnosed with PNES.
Audience: Health professionals (mental health professionals including neuropsychologists and psychologists)
Learning Points: Throughout this course, you will:
• What are APA’s core principles and ethical standards
• How do APA’s core principles and ethical standards apply to working with patients with PNES?
• What unique ethical dilemmas might come up with PNES?
• How to apply ethical decision-making to resolve sample challenges
Dr. Lorna Myers is the director of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) Program in New York and New Jersey, USA. She is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist and has been working with patients who have PNES and/or epilepsy for over 20 years. Her research has been published in a number of scientific journals, she has authored professional book chapters, and presents in meetings across the US and abroad. In 2013, she wrote “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: A Guide,” a book for patients and their caregivers. Royalties from that book are donated to Epilepsy Alliance America, a foundation that awards scholarships to adults diagnosed with PNES to help with the costs of their studies. In 2023, together with her Dr. Julia Doss, she co-authored “The Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizure Pocketbook.”
Dr. Myers is a certified prolonged exposure therapist and clinical supervisor and has pioneered the modification and use of this treatment modality for patients diagnosed with PTSD and PNES. She is also certified in integrative hypnosis.
Other interesting facts about her is that she is fluent in English and Spanish, and her other main research interest is in multicultural topics including treatment of bilingual and bicultural (or monocultural Hispanic) patients and the study of neuropsychological measures for Spanish-speaking patients evaluated in the US.
