Dual Relationship
Give an example of innovative approaches that rely on dual relationships
What is:
Adventure therapy
Walk and Talk Therapy
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, Is it ethical to be involved sexually involved with a current client?
It is prohibited
What are examples of unavoidable dual relationship?
What is:
Rural communities
Military
Pastoral
Addiction
In-home service
Crisis and disaster
What should a Counselor always do when dealing with any type of boundary issue?
What is:
Get documentation
Communicate with client
Be aware of diverse populations
Y/N Is there always a potential for harm?
What is:
Yes
T/F
Dual relationships only involve personal relationships? (Example: counselor and friend)
What is False.
It involves both personal and professional relationships. (Counselor and Friend, Supervisor, employer )
Why is it unethical to counselor a family or friend?
What is:
Inability to stay objective
Why is it hard to avoid a dual relationship within the military?
Military relies on rank culture. Everyone has multiple roles, so it is hard to have a mental health professional and not also a superior officer. Many times the counselor is the only one for all service members in a specific area, which would include friends and coworkers. Counselors are also tasked with evaluations, like security clearance and fitness for duty. Those being evaluated could be clients. In close corridors, it is likely to have frequent boundary crossing and role blending
T/F Friendship and therapeutic relationship can exist at the same time?
False
What are the Three factors that should be considered when determining the risk of harm in a nonprofessional relationship?
What is:
Incompatible expectation
Divergent responsibilities
Power differential
What are the Three factors that should be considered when determining the risk of harm in a nonprofessional relationship
What is
Incompatible expectation
Divergent responsibilities
Power differential
What should Counselors do before extending boundaries? (Accepting invitations to a special event)
What is:
Consider the benefits and risks
There must be precautions in place like informed consent consultation supervision and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired, and no harm occurs
What does boundary crossing mean? And give an example?
What is:
counselors who engage in behaviors with clients that have a potential to create a dual relationship. It is a departure from a commonly accepted practice that occurs to benefit a client. A boundary is shifted to meet that particular moment and client. (attend graduation)
When a Client offers a Counselor a gift, what should the Counselor take into account?
What is:
relationship,
value,
client’s motivation
counselor’s motivation
What are some benefits in dual relationships?
What is:
Prevents clients from feeling the distance between them
Helps with power differential
Greater authenticity and congruence
Overall strengthen alliance
What are the Four characteristics of dual relationships that I mentioned
What is:
Hard to recognize
Potential outcomes are varied
Sometimes these relationships are unavoidable
Innovative approaches are developing in the profession
According to state regulation, what type of behaviors should not be engaged with current clients?
What is:
Sexual intercourse,
Kissing,
Touching,
Exposing,
Deliberate or repeated comments or gestures of an exploitive nature.
What should the Counselor keep in mind when looking at boundary crossing?
What is:
All clients are unique
Everyone has their own personal boundaries
Boundary crossing can be justified if little risk of harm and benefit client
SHOULD NOT BECOME ROUTINE
Slippery slope phenomenon
What are some pros and cons of self disclosure?
What is:
It can normalize the client’s experience (Decrease shame)
It can improve the client-therapist relationship (build trust)
It can give the client hope
It can make the client feel more comfortable (decrease power differential)
It can cause the client to look at you like a friend
Role reversal
It can invite more questions
Make the client uncomfortable
What are the steps when a Counselor is asked to engage in a dual relationship?
What is:
Respond in caring and professional way
Acknowledge their distress
Empathize with them
State why you cannot function as their counselor because of your other relationship
Help them locate other counselor
If they continue to talk about the situation remind them throughout that you are listening as their relative or friend, not counselor
What safeguards help a Counselor in a dual relationship?
What is:
Secure client’s informed consent to proceed with relationship
Discuss potential problems. Will not hold up in court
Seek consultation
Prevent loss of objectivity monitor for harm
Engage in ongoing discussion with client
Document and self-monitor
Show steps that you are trying to protect client
Obtain supervision