When Clients Can't Afford Care: Ethical Strategies for Access and Retention Online
Financial barriers are one of the most common reasons clients delay, interrupt, or discontinue mental health treatment. Economic strain is strongly associated with increased psychological distress, reduced treatment adherence, and poorer health outcomes, particularly when individuals must choose between essential expenses and healthcare (Sweet et al., 2018). Clinicians frequently encounter situations in which clients cannot afford ongoing therapy, yet many receive little formal training on how to navigate these situations ethically. This program examines the intersection of financial stress, access to care, and ethical clinical decision-making. Drawing on professional ethical frameworks including the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, the session explores how affordability challenges affect treatment engagement, continuity of care, and professional boundaries (APA, 2017; NASW, 2021).
Participants will learn practical, ethically grounded strategies for addressing financial barriers while maintaining professional standards. Using applied clinical scenarios, the program introduces tools clinicians can use to discuss affordability in trauma-informed and non-stigmatizing ways, implement policies such as sliding-scale fee structures, and identify appropriate referral or resource navigation options when ongoing treatment is not financially feasible. Concepts from financial therapy and behavioral health research will be used to illustrate how financial stress influences client decision-making, shame responses, and treatment retention (Archuleta et al., 2013). By the end of the program, participants will be able to recognize financial barriers as a clinical and ethical issue, apply ethical decision-making frameworks when affordability concerns arise, and utilize practical communication strategies that support client dignity, access to care, and continuity of treatment.
Presented by Darla Bishop, DrPH
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This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.5 CEs for Psychologists, 1.5 IL CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers, 1.5 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, or 1.5 NBCC Clock Hours.
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PROGRAM PRICING:
- General Admission: $30
- The Chicago School Faculty/Staff: $20*
- Students: $15*
(*Please email officeofce@thechicagoschool.edu for coupon code. Code must be entered at time of checkout to receive discount.)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
- Date:
- Friday, May 1, 2026
- Time:
- 11:00am - 12:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Central Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event.
- Event URL:
- https://tcsppofficeofce.com/may_1_2026-3/
- Audience:
- All Graduate Students All Students Alumni Doctoral Students Faculty Masters Students Public The Chicago School Community Undergraduate Students