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Digital Seminar

Emotional Support Animals: Ethical, Legal and Practical Issues to Consider Before Proving an ESA Letter


Speaker:
Diana Sebzda Sebzda, LPC, FT
Duration:
3 Hours 03 Minutes
Language:
Presented in EN, subtitles in EN and FR, handouts in EN and FR
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Jun 23, 2021
Product Code:
POS058220
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

Do you feel uncomfortable and unsure how to respond when clients ask you to write a letter certifying their pet as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?

Do you worry that some clients are simply looking to bring their pets into situations where they wouldn’t normally be allowed? Or fear it’s not even within your scope of practice to determine whether an animal has a therapeutic effect on your clients?

Requests for ESA letters are surging, but guidelines, protocols and available education for therapists isn’t keeping up. How can you ensure that you’re considering the right legal, ethical and practical issues before writing one?

Diana Sebzda, LPC has been a licensed counselor for over 16 years and spent 15 years as a veterinary technician. Using her unique insight as both a mental health and animal care professional, she’s guided many individuals through the use of service animals and emotional support animals.

Watch her for this timely 3-hour training and get the latest details and guidance you need so you can:

  • Fully understand the therapeutic role in assessing and issuing a diagnosis
  • Identify clinical issues related to ESAs you may have missed
  • Know when you shouldn’t issue an ESA
  • Get up to speed on new transportation/airline laws regarding ESAs
  • Recognize key components of legal and ethical ESA letter by reviewing samples

Don’t miss this chance to get the answers you’ve been seeking on one of the fastest growing questions facing clinicians today!

Purchase now!

Credit


Canada Credit - Canadian Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. This program is approved for 3.0 self-study continuing education hours. Full credit statement at: www.pesi.com/cpa-statement


**

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after completing the on-line post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). 

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact cepesi@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before the event.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Florida Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits.


Kentucky Counselors

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 3.5 continuing education credit hours for Kentucky Counselors. The Continuing Education Requirements for the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (201 KAR 36:030 Section 2) state continuing education programs from providers sponsored or approved by a state counseling licensure board shall be approved without further review by the board. PESI, Inc. is approved by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.


Montana Counselors

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of instruction.


Nevada Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 3.0 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


New York Counselors

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0033. This self-study activity will qualify for 3.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance


Ohio Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 3.0 clock hours of continuing education credit. 


South Carolina Counselors

This self-study program has been approved for 3.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Texas Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 681, Subchapter J, Section 681.142 Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Social Workers

This intermediate self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Colorado Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Provider #1413. This self-study course has been approved for 3.0 continuing education hours. 

 

COLORADO PARTICIPANTS ONLY: If you did not answer YES to be reported to the Colorado Chapter of the NASW on the evaluation, please contact cepesi@pesi.com and provide the full title of the webcast, speaker name, date of live broadcast, your name and your license number in the email.


Florida Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. 


Illinois Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 159-000154. Successful completion of this self-study activity qualifies for 3.0 contact hours.


Minnesota Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Minnesota, Board of Social Work. Provider #: CEP-140. This self-study package has been approved for 3.0 continuing education hours. This certificate has been issued upon successful completion of a post-test.


Montana Social Workers

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of instruction.


New York Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0008. This self-study activity will qualify for 3.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance. 


Ohio Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 3.0 clock hours of continuing education credit. 


Florida Psychologists

PESI, Inc., is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Psychology.Provider Number #50-399.This product qualifies for 3.0 self-study continuing education credits.


Illinois Psychologists

 

PESI, Inc is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. License #: 268.000102. Full attendance at this self-study course qualifies for 6.0 contact hours.


Kentucky Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists, approved provider #202312H. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This self-study activity will qualify for 3.0 contact hours.


New York Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0014. This self-study activity will qualify for 3.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Ohio Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association, Provider #263896894, to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content. PESI is offering this self-study activity for 3.0 Standard hours of continuing education credit.


Pennsylvania Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists. Provider #PSY000211. PESI maintains responsibility for the program(s). This self-study program qualifies for 3.0 continuing education hours.


Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save this course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements. 


Florida Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits.


Illinois Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. has been approved as a provider of continuing education by the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. Provider #:168-000156. Full attendance at this self-study activity qualifies for 3.0 credits.


Montana Marriage & Family Therapists

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of instruction.


Nevada Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 3.0 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


New York Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0024. This self-study activity will qualify for 3.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance


Ohio Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance in this self-study course meets the qualifications for 3.0 clock hours of continuing education credit. 


South Carolina Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study program has been approved for 3.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Texas Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 801, Subchapter K, Section 801.264 Types of Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Addiction Counselors - Generic

This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CCAPP-EI)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CCAPP-EI, Provider #: OS-03-036-1025. This activity meets the qualifications for 3.0 CEH's (continuing education hours).


California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CADTP)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CADTP, Provider #: 201. This Category H activity meets the qualifications for 3.0 CEU's (continuing education hours).


Connecticut Addiction Counselors

Provider #120924. This course has been approved as a CCB approved training and has been awarded 3.0 hours by the Connecticut Certification Board.


Oklahoma Alcohol & Drug Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors approved provider #20240032. This self-study activity consists of 3.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


California Nurses

PESI, Inc. is a provider approved by the California Board of  Registered Nursing, Provider #: 17118 for 3.0 self-study contact hours. 

** You will need to provide your license number to PESI. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


Florida Nurses

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the Florida Board of  Nursing. Provider #: FBN2858. These materials qualify for 3.0 self-study contact hours.

CE Broker


Iowa Nurses

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Provider #: 346. Nurses successfully completing these self-study materials will earn 3.0 self-study contact hours. Please email cepesi@pesi.com with your license number, include the title, speaker name and date. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


South Carolina Psycho-Educational Specialists

This self-study program has been approved for 3.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 3.0 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts

Speaker

Diana Sebzda Sebzda, LPC, FT's Profile

Diana Sebzda Sebzda, LPC, FT Related seminars and products


Diana Sebzda, LPC, FT, is the director of bereavement at the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center where she provides both individual counseling and support groups for those coping with grief, anticipatory grief, and pet loss.

In addition to 17 years of grief counseling experience, Diana also has over 15 years of experience as a veterinary technician where she’s witnessed the impacts of pet loss firsthand.

Diana has been published in Healthy Pet Magazine and is a Fellow in Thanatology (FT) with the Association for Death Education and Counseling (where she is co-chair of their Pet Loss Networking Group). She is also a member of the Traumatic Loss Coalition of New Jersey, the American Counseling Association, and the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. Diana earned her MA degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from William Patterson University.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Diana Sebzda is a counselor with BetterHelp.com. She receives compensation as a speaker and consultant. Diana Sebzda receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Diana Sebzda is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, Traumatic Loss Coalition of New Jersey, and the national Coalition for Grieving Students.


Additional Info

Program Information

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at https://www.pesicanada.com/faq or contact us at https://www.pesicanada.com/contact-us


Objectives

  1. Investigate potential ethical and legal conflicts that exist when a mental health professional is certifying the need for an Emotional Support Animal.
  2. Use emerging best practices and guidelines for assessing and documenting ESA need for clients.
  3. Analyze key elements of an ESA letter in order to properly formulate one if needed.

Outline

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) vs. Service Animal (SA)

Differences regarding landlords, airlines, owners and animals

Typical reasons for requests

Therapeutic role and issuing a diagnosis

Ethical and legal issues to be aware of from a clinician’s viewpoint

Stance of ADA, ACA, APA regarding use of these animals

Review of an ESA letter

New transportation/airline laws regarding ESAs

Research, risks and treatment limitations

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Addictions Counselors
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Physicians
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Reviews

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