Navigating Washington's New Confidentiality Standards for LMHC's and Social Workers: a 2025 update

3 Law and Ethics CEs Recorded: Summer, 2025

As of July 27, 2025, the legal framework for confidentiality in behavioral health practice in Washington State will undergo a significant shift. Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Social Workers will now be subject to the standards of RCW 70.02—Washington’s Uniform Health Care Information Act—through its incorporation into RCW 18.225.105.

This three-hour section of the day’s workshop will prepare clinicians for this critical change. Participants will examine how the newly aligned laws alter confidentiality obligations, reshape definitions of protected information, and introduce updated rules around disclosures, client rights, and documentation practices.

Through step-by-step analysis, practical examples, and discussion, this training will equip attendees to confidently navigate the new legal landscape while upholding core ethical principles. This course is intended to meet Washington’s ethics CE requirement.

Workshop Learning Objectives

After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:

Identify the sources of legal standards relating to confidentiality; Understand the relationship between Washington State statutes and federal regulations with respect to client confidentiality; Describe when disclosure of client information is required; Describe when disclosure of client information is allowed.