1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Developments in Ethical Decision Making: A Practical Guide is presented by Michael C. Gottlieb, PhD, ABPP, in partnership with The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

The program provides a brief overview of the history of ethical decision-making and reviews the fundamental principles of biomedical ethics. Ethical dilemmas are then defined, and differing ethical decision-making models are explained and critiqued in light of recent empirical research. Finally, the program concludes with concrete recommendations.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the five principles of biomedical ethics
  • 2 Describe an ethical dilemma
  • 3 Describe why stage models of ethical decision making are inadequate
  • 4 Describe mindfulness of the false trichotomy
  • 5 Describe the role of biases and heuristics in ethical decision making
Presented By

Michael C. Gottlieb, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Gottlieb practices forensic psychology in Dallas, Texas. He is Board Certified in Family Psychology [American Board of Professional Psychology] and is a Fellow of the American Psychology/Law Society as well as four other divisions of the American Psychological Association. He is a Clinical Professor at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he teaches professional ethics.

 An active scholar, Dr. Gottlieb writes on applied ethics and the psychology/law interface. He has written or co-written seventy-five peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, presented nearly one hundred original papers, and offered over 175 professional workshops locally, nationally, and internationally. He has received more than thirty awards for his professional accomplishments and service and sits on the editorial board of four scholarly journals. He was an Associate Editor of the two-volume, APA Handbook of Ethics in Psychology (2011) and is a co-author of Ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy: Positive approaches to decision making (2015), all published by the American Psychological Association. 

He is a Past-President of the Dallas and Texas Psychological Associations, The American Board of Family Psychology and The Academy of Family Psychology. Also, he completed terms on the American Psychological Associations’ Ethics Committee; Committee on Professional Practice and Standards; and two terms on its Council of Representatives (Board of Directors). Finally, he served a term on the Ethics Committee of the American Board of Professional Psychology.

 Dr. Gottlieb has consulted or testified in 19 states, five federal jurisdictions, to military courts-martial, and has made presentations to; The State Bars of California and Texas, The National Judicial Institute of Canada, two ABA/APA National Conferences on Children and the Law, The Center for American and International Law, and for the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.


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  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals who want to enhance their understanding of ethical decision-making. It is designed for those specializing in clinical psychology, counseling, psychiatry, or social work, with expertise in applying ethical principles, navigating dilemmas, and using decision-making models in practice. The program covers the application of ethical principles, navigating complex dilemmas, and utilizing decision-making models in real-world practice.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Licensed Professional Counselors
    • Psychiatrists
    • Social Workers
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
    • School Psychologists
    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Addiction Counselors

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for mental health professionals at various stages of experience with ethical decision-making and biomedical ethics.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to ethical decision-making concepts and seek foundational knowledge of biomedical ethics principles, ethical dilemmas, and basic decision-making models.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some familiarity with ethical frameworks and wish to deepen their understanding by critically evaluating decision-making models, exploring the role of biases and heuristics, and applying recent empirical research to practice.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience with ethical decision-making and are interested in advanced critique of models, integrating nuanced recommendations, and contributing to the evolution of ethical practice in the field.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners deliver care in client-facing environments where ethical decisions arise in assessment, treatment, supervision, consultation, and crisis response, often under organizational policies and legal/regulatory requirements. They work across healthcare, education, and public service systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and providing services in both in‑person and virtual modalities.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private practice and group clinics
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospitals and inpatient psychiatric units
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health
    • School and university counseling centers
    • Correctional and forensic facilities
    • Substance use treatment programs
    • Telehealth platforms
    • Crisis hotlines and mobile crisis teams
    • VA and military treatment facilities
We are proud to partner with

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

We are proud to partner with The American Board of Professional Psychology for this training. The American Board of Professional Psychology serves the public by promoting the provision of quality psychological services through the examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. ABPP is the primary organization for Specialty Board Certification in Psychology. There are currently 15 Specialty Boards and one Subspecialty Board.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.