Ethics in Side-Gigs & Extra Income (1 CE Hour)

Smart Sources of Extra Income for Mental Health Professionals

*1 Continuing Education (CE) Clock Hour in Ethics for Behavioral Health Professionals

Whether it comes from an entrepreneurial drive, a desire for different creative expression, or even just a season of economic necessity, many behavioral health professionals find themselves exploring ways of expanding their income outside of what makes up their their main work as therapists/counselors.

These "side-gigs" might include ventures closely related to their work as clinicians, or it might be work in something completely different. But regardless of what it looks like, making sure that these side-gigs are appropriate from an ethical standpoint is important. In this brief continuing education (CE) training, the following will be covered.

Learning Objectives

  1. To identify and explain the ways that ethical considerations in looking at side-gigs helps to protect both clients and providers.
  2. To explore several side-gigs that can be considered by those who work in the mental health field, along with the pros and cons of the different ideas.
  3. To understand ways that different side-gigs can be classified as to make ethical decisions inline with best ethical practices .
  4. To review the relevant ethical guidelines for side-gigs from ACA, NBCC, AAMFT, NASW, NAADAC & NCC/AP, and APA.


*PsychMaven is responsible for all aspects for this program.

*PsychMaven has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) for both Live/Real Time and Home Study continuing education (CE) Programs. ACEP No. 6624. This program is designed to meet the standards of NBCC content areas no.8 (Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issues). Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PsychMaven is solely responsible for all aspects of its programs.

*PsychMaven is a Licensed Social Worker Continuing Education Provider under the Texas State Board for Social Worker Examiners (Provider No. 7751). PsychMaven may provide continuing education to Social Workers certified and/or licensed in that state, and in other states/jurisdictions that accept the Continuing Education (CE) approval of other state Social Work boards. Please contact your state licensing board if you have questions about the acceptability of CE hours.

*Note for Florida licensed clinicians (LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs). PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, pursuant to the rule 64B4-6.002(1)(e)1. However, PsychMaven is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

*Note for Ohio licensed counselors. PsychMaven's approval with NBCC is approved automatically for continuing education (CE) credit by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors. However, PsychMaven is not registered with the systems of CE broker. Therefore, CE hours need to be self-reported by following the instructions found at the bottom of each CE certificate.

For the latest on the Continuing Education (CE) Approvals of PsychMaven, as well as guidance on CE requirements for different disciplines, visit us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval

Your Instructor


S. David Hall, PsyD
S. David Hall, PsyD

Dr. Stephen "David" Hall Jr. (PsyD, LMFT, LPC-MHSP-AS, CST, NCC) is the education director for PsychMaven, serving as one our primary teachers and heading up content and direction for the organization. He has been working as a counselor/psychotherapist since 2005 and holds clinical licenses in Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, he also has specialized training in sex therapy, substance use disorders, and clinical hypnosis. Dr. Hall built up personal counseling practices in both Tennessee and Georgia, and in 2015 he led the start-up of an independent psychiatry clinic, Haven Family Psychiatry, and then built his current group therapy practice, Haven Counseling Center. Dr. Hall maintains a counseling/psychotherapy caseload and supervises postgraduate therapists through his practice. In 2011, Dr. Hall founded the Narrative Institute to provide workshops and seminars on story-craft and applied narrative theory for mental health therapists, other professionals, and the general public. In the years since, he has organized and taught professional continuing education and general trainings on narrative in psychotherapy, practice building, cultural trends, social dynamics of technology, professional ethics, and other mental health topics; having done live trainings throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the Narrative Institute became one of the founding component institutes of PsychMaven. Dr. Hall has also worked as a business and clinical consultant in recovery and treatment center start-ups, an adjunct graduate professor, and has served as the president of the Tennessee Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TNAMFT), the state division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). For more on Dr. Hall, visit www.davidhallpsych.com.


Course Curriculum


  Mini-Course Material
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
This course is completely automated to do at your own pace during the enrollment period, so you can start at anytime.
How long do I have access to the course?
As free course, you have full access to the videos and material for 30 days once you enroll. During that time, you will be able to have access across all of your devices, and you can complete the course whenever it works with your schedule during that time.
Does this course offer continuing education (CE) credit?
Yes! The course offers one (1) approved continuing education (CE) clock hour in ethics under multiple CE approval organizations (as listed in the course description) and can cover the approval needs of many mental health/professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, addiction professionals, and psychologists. However, all students are responsible for confirming if the CE approval of this course meets their CE needs. We can offer you further information about PsychMaven's CE approvals and resources, by visiting us at www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval
Does the material in this course meet my state's requirements for professional ethics training?
Ultimately, each student in the course has to verify what their special continuing education (CE) requirements are with their relevant licensing/credentialing organization(s). However, this course has been designed to cover ethical standards related to professional/mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, addiction counseling, and psychology. For more information on PsychMaven's continuing education approvals, visit us www.psychmaven.org/ce-approval

Get started now!