Abstract

In today’s competitive health-care landscape, psychologists must do more than deliver effective treatment—they must also navigate the financial realities of running a sustainable practice. Ethical Practice & Financial Sustainability: Navigating the Intersection of Psychology & Business equips clinicians and practice leaders with the knowledge and tools to uphold the highest ethical standards while making sound business decisions.

Through a blend of brief lectures, small-group activities, and case-based discussions, participants will be able to identify emerging ethical challenges, choose appropriate decision-making frameworks, develop practical financial management strategies for sustainable practice operations, and implement practices that safeguard client welfare and support long-term organizational viability.

Intended Audience

Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists.

Learning Objectives

1. Define ethics in the context of professional psychology and identify common ethical dilemmas that arise in psychological settings, especially in private practice and multidisciplinary environments.

2. Practice mapping ethical tensions using frameworks (e.g., CPA’s Four Principles Model, Ethical Acculturation Model, Four Ethical Systems and Four component Model of Moral Behaviour) and understand how ethical dilemmas often arise from conflicts between core values (Confidentiality vs Protection from harm, Safety vs Autonomy, Humility vs Competence etc.)

3. Work through realistic vignettes that illustrate ethical challenges across domains such as confidentiality, mandated reporting, parental rights, and cultural sensitivity.

4. Implement practical financial management strategies for sustainable practice operations, including budgeting, insurance planning, and contingency planning for practice disruptions

5. Analyze and compare financial models for different practice delivery methods (in-person vs. telehealth) and supervision arrangements, including cost-benefit considerations

Presenters

Dr. Harpreet Gill

Harpreet Gill, Ph.D. R. Psych. is PAA’s Director of Professional Guidance. She is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta with over 16 years of counseling experience with adults and couples. She has worked in the Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and private and non-profit settings. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship issues, grief, addictions (including assessments), trauma, self-esteem issues, and immigrants’ mental health concerns.

Dr. Jaleh Shahin

Dr. Jaleh Shahin is a registered psychologist in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Dr. Shahin is board certified in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

Dr. Shahin has extensive experience working as a mental health professional in a wide variety of settings including primary care, hospitals, community mental health clinics, university clinics, and private practice.

Dr. Shahin holds a Doctorate and a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology (Honors) from McMaster University.

Dr. Shahin has served as a consulting psychologist for Copeman HealthCare Centers in Edmonton and Vancouver. She previously held an academic position with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) at the University of Alberta where she developed FoMD’s in-house mental health program and was responsible for management and provision of all aspects of psychological services offered to physicians in-training as well as other healthcare students. She also taught in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education programs. She has a special interest in medical professionals’ mental health and wellbeing.

Clinically, Dr. Shahin has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families providing mental health services including assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, workshops, research and program evaluation. Dr. Shahin’s current practice focuses on addressing the mental health needs of professionals, executives, leaders and their families.

Members Only Discounts

Are you a member with the PAA? Did you know that members get discounts on workshops? Ensure that you are signed in when purchasing a ticket to receive your discount.

Full Members, Early Career Psychologists, Professional Affiliate Members, Out of Province Psychologist Members, Non-Practicing Members and Lifetime Members receive 20% off.

Provisional Members and Psychological Assistant Members receive 30% off.

Student Members receive 40% off.

Registrations

Registrations for in-person workshops are open until 3 business days prior to the workshop to ensure accurate numbers for catering and event space. Should you wish to register for this workshop within 1-3 business days prior to the workshop, requests must be made in writing to the Continuing Professional Development Officer at cpd@paa-ab.ca. Requests will not be processed if they are received after 12pm on the last business day prior to the workshop.

Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation and refunds may be applied for by email or phone call to the PAA. Cancellations received fourteen (14) days prior to the Continuing Professional Development activity will receive a full refund of the registration fee, less a $35.00 + GST processing fee. PAA reserves the right to cancel any activity, in which case a full refund of the registration fee will be provided.

Continuing Education Credits

The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists. This workshop is offered for six (6.0) hours of CE Credit. Full attendance at the workshop is required to receive Continuing Education Credits. Partial credit will not be awarded, and late arrivals or early departure will preclude awarding of Continuing Education Credits. PAA maintains responsibility for the program.