The 6 Core Values — What They Actually Mean in Practice
Pick a value. Work the scenario. Your progress saves automatically.
A decision-making framework you can actually use.
Most ethics mistakes don't come from bad intentions — they come from skipping steps under pressure. This is a repeatable checklist for when a case feels murky.
High-Stakes Scenarios to Think Through Now
Situations where the margin for error is small — and the documentation matters as much as the decision. Verify against current state law, agency policy, and your supervisor.
| Scenario | Key ethical tension | Guiding principle |
|---|---|---|
| Client discloses intent to harm a third party | Confidentiality vs. duty to protect (Tarasoff) | Warn the potential victim where required; notify your supervisor; most states mandate this reporting. |
| Social media connection request from a current client | Boundaries vs. therapeutic rapport | Decline and discuss in session. Dual relationships on social platforms blur the frame. |
| Supervisor pressures you to close a case prematurely | Clinical judgment vs. employer directives | Document concerns in writing. Escalate if client safety is at risk. |
| Client offers a gift over $25 | Dignity and relationship vs. boundary maintenance | Use clinical judgment. Gently decline, or accept and document rationale and cultural context. |
| Colleague appears impaired at work | Peer loyalty vs. client protection | Address with the colleague first if safe. Report to supervision if the pattern continues. Client safety wins. |
| Subpoena to testify in a client's custody case | Therapist vs. forensic evaluator role | Clarify your role. Avoid dual roles. Factual testimony only, within your actual treatment scope. |
Finish strong. Keep the record.
Once you've worked through all six values and reached a passing score, generate a dated certificate with a unique code. Save the PDF for your records, your supervisor check-ins, or your employer's annual training file.
This certificate documents completion of SWU's ethics training module. It is not ASWB-approved CE credit. Use alongside, not in place of, your state's CE requirements.
Social Work Ethics
in Practice
Your Reflection Log
Your reasoning from each scenario will appear here as you work through them. Add a final synthesis at the bottom, then export everything as one record for supervision or your CE file.
Complete a few scenarios first, then come back to write your takeaways.
Know Your Worth. Protect Your Practice.
SWU AI tools help you negotiate smarter, work confidently, and build a sustainable career.
Explore AI Career Tools →