The 2026 Clinical Alphabet Liability Landscape: AI, DEI, and the BBS Curt Widhalm, LMFT

Description: This course navigates the rapidly shifting legal landscape of 2026, from the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical work to the protection of vulnerable populations under rapidly shifting circumstances. Beginning with a deep dive into the newly updated CAMFT Code of Ethics, establishing high-density guardrails for the ethical use of artificial intelligence in clinical work. This workshop also covers the clinical realities for clients from vulnerable populations under changing federal approaches to DEI. Participants will also receive 2026 California updates, including BBS updates involving advertising rules and more.

Educational Goal: This workshop is intended for licensed and prelicensed master’s level therapists with beginner-to-advanced experience to cover the changing ethical landscape and clinical realities from Federal mandates around DEI to Artificial Intelligence in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key updates to the CAMFT Code of Ethics regarding the use of artificial intelligence, telehealth, and digital technology.
2. Evaluate the ethical risks and benefits associated with utilizing AI tools (e.g., AI scribes, chatbots) in clinical practice, specifically concerning client confidentiality and informed consent.
3. Apply the updated CAMFT ethical decision-making frameworks to complex, technology-driven clinical scenarios.
4. Differentiate between judicial warrant and an administrative subpoena to determine the legal and ethical requirements for protecting or releasing client records
5. Analyze the clinical implications of federal rulings about LGBTQ+ treatment and California’s 2026 Shield Laws to ensure that their practice remains within the standard of care
6. Implement the 2026 mandatory advertising transparency rules) by identifying three compliance errors on social media and websites for licensed clinicians and associates.

   Speaker Bio: Curt Widhalm, LMFT is the owner of Real Honest Therapy in Encino and West Los Angeles that specializes in working with teenagers and provides EMDR and comprehensive DBT. He is the Chair of the CAMFT Ethics Committee and a former lecturer at California State University Northridge where he taught Law & Ethics in the MFT program. Curt is also the co-host of “The Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide” podcast.