The Lancaster Bible College Counseling & Social Work Department will host a free* two-hour webinar on Oct. 25 to address the topic of “The Ethical Necessity of Gatekeeping.” Set for 1-3 p.m., the webinar will connect professionals, educators and students as they gain applicable knowledge on this important topic.

*A $25 fee will apply to those who are interested in obtaining two Continuing Education credits and who are also maintaining their license in the social work or counseling fields. Registration is required at lbc.edu/events by Oct. 23. Payment for CE credits may also be made at this link; and a webinar link will be provided upon registration.

Gatekeeping is a vital and necessary component of counselor education and supervision. It is an ethical responsibility, clearly identified and discussed in various professional codes and standards. Counselor educators and supervisors carry out their gatekeeping role to protect not only clients and counselors but also institutions and the clinical profession. Gatekeeping involves ongoing evaluation to determine competency, both in professional skills and personal skills, of supervisees and counselors in training.

Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be equipped to accomplish the following:

• Define the ethical role and purposes of gatekeeping
• Identify the primary functions and tasks of gatekeeping to meet ethical standards
• Identify and discuss how to carry out the responsibilities of gatekeeping

The webinar’s main speaker will be Jonathan D. Shacklett, Assistant Professor in the Counseling & Social Work Department at Lancaster Bible College. As an educator, he provides academic instruction and advisement to graduate-level counseling students as part of LBC’s hybrid program. In addition to teaching foundational courses, Shacklett specializes in teaching courses related to addiction treatment and has also supervised practicum and internship students throughout their field work placement.

In addition to his role as an educator, Shacklett provides outpatient mental health services to individuals, couples and families through New Life Counseling Services. As a clinician, he is certified in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor. Prior to working as an outpatient therapist, Shacklett served as the men’s director for a long-term residential addiction recovery program. He earned a Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling from Lancaster Bible College and is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education & Supervision from Grand Canyon University. His research interests include the role of faith integration in counselor education.

For further information on the Oct. 25 webinar, contact Laura Miller in the LBC Counseling & Social Work Department at lmiller@lbc.edu.