Code of Ethics
Section 1.02:
“Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to __________”
A) Receive appropriate care
B) Self-determination
C) Avoid distress
D) Be themselves
B) Self-Determination
Name an example of a boundary you might set at work (not client-related)
- Not checking email on vacation
- Not answering caregiver calls on weekends
- Using your PTO
- Not socializing until getting work done
- Not following coworkers on social media
___________ shall be responsible for setting and maintaining professional boundaries
The Social Worker
Name one way you might model material boundaries with a school-age client
I truly believe whatever you came up with is a correct answer... :)
A client has no-showed 3 scheduled appointments without notice. When you call, they want to schedule another session as usual and say they forgot. How do you set this boundary?
Whatever you said...it was amazing :)
Section 1.06 states: “Social workers should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of __________.”
A) Personal values and beliefs
B) Professional discretion and impartial judgment
C) Client preferences
D) Agency policy
B) Professional discretion and impartial judgment
What are examples of ways a therapist at DCAC might unintentionally step outside their professional role when trying to meet client or caregiver needs?
- Focusing treatment on the caregiver's needs
- Providing case management outside of role needs/expectations
- Continuing to provide treatment even after client shows no symptoms or has met treatment fidelity
- Overdisclosing personal information to build rapport
- Responding to clients/caregivers outside of appropriate boundaries
Texas Administrative Code prohibits social workers from engaging in dual relationships that may ________ the client or impair professional judgment.
A) Confuse
B) Exploit or harm
C) Anger or frustrate
D) Decrease rapport
§781.302(7) (conflicts of interest/dual relationships)
B) Exploit or harm
A clinician ends the session on time even though the client asks to continue talking. What boundary is being modeled?
Time Boundary/Maintaining expectations
A caregiver repeatedly asks the therapist personal questions such as: “Are you married? Do you have kids? What is your religion?” How do you set a boundary?
You're a star! ⭐
In Code of Ethics standard 1: Ethical Responsibilities to Clients, Section 1.10 states:
“Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are responsible for ___________.”
A) Ensuring the client consents to the contact before engagement in services
B) Setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact
C) Documenting all instances of physical contact in the client record
D) Avoiding all physical contact regardless of context
B) Setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact
Boundaries are often taught in treatment. Name 4 commonly taught types of boundaries
physical, sexual, intellectual, emotional, material, and time
The licensee shall not accept from or give to a client any gift with a value in excess of ________. If the licensee's employer prohibits giving or receiving gifts, the licensee shall comply with the employer's policy.
$25
A caregiver interrupts a child in session, and the clinician gently redirects and reinforces that the child will finish their thought. What is being modeled?
Respect for autonomy
session structure
communication boundary
A teen client consistently tries to hug the therapist at the beginning and end of every session, even after being gently redirected. How do you set a boundary?
Wow...couldn't have said it better myself! 💫
Section 1.07 states:
“Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for _________”
A) When caregivers request updates
B) Any situation involving minors
C) Compelling professional reasons
D) When documentation is required
C) Compelling professional reasons
Section 1.03 states: “Social workers should provide services to clients only in the context of informed consent.”
Name two boundaries set without our informed consent paperwork (Informed consent or Service Agreement)
- Role clarification
- Policies
- Limits of Services
BHEC rules prohibit social workers from making false, misleading, or ___________ statements about services.
A) Incomplete
B) Promotional
C) Exaggerated
D) Confusing
22 TAC §781.302(4)
C) Exaggerated
A therapist tells the caregiver they would not like a hug at the end of session. What is being modeled for the client?
Physical Boundaries
Consent
Communicating "no"
A caregiver begins texting the clinician multiple times a day with non-urgent updates and expects immediate responses. They are doing the same to your advocate and request to meet with the advocate each session. What boundary do you set?
Section 1.04 states: “Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their ____________.”
A) Experiences
B) Scope of practice and training
C) Level of education
D) Understanding of the client's needs
B) Scope of practice and training
What are common boundary issues that show up in family systems
- Caregivers and children having overly fused roles
- Role confusion/role reversal: children taking on caregiver roles (emotionally or practically)
- caregivers relying on children for emotional support
- Over-involvement or over-monitoring: excessive control, lack of age-appropriate autonomy, limited privacy
- Inconsistent expectations: caregivers not setting or maintaining consistent limits, leading to confusion or instability
- Confidentiality confusion: caregivers expecting full access to clinical info
- Poor communication boundaries -interruptions, triangulation (using the child as messenger), or lack of direct caregiver-child communication
Texas rules allow disclosure of confidential information without client consent when required by ____________.
A) Caregiver request
B) Supervisor recommendation
C) Law or to prevent serious harm
D) Agency preference
22 TAC §781.401 – Confidentiality
C) Law or to prevent serious harm
A caregiver becomes frustrated and blames the clinician, and the clinician responds calmly, sets respectful communication limits, and does not engage defensively. What is being modeled?
Professional communication boundary
emotional regulation
non-reactivity
Taking accountability
A caregiver offers expensive gifts to the therapist after the client makes an additional disclosure that confirms some of the caregiver's suspicions. The caregiver becomes upset when the therapist declines. How do you set the boundary?
STUNNING.
FABULOUS.
WONDERFUL.
😭💐