1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 475Professional Ethics in Addictions Counseling1Managing Boundaries and Multiple RelationshipsChapter 72Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingDual and Multiple Relationships in Perspective3Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingDual Relationships tend to• Impair the counselors judgment• Increase potential for conflicts of interest• Lead to exploitation of the client• Lead to blurred boundaries 4Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingDesigning Safeguards to Protect Clients5Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingIdentifying Boundary Violations6Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingPotential for Creating Dual Relationships• Accepting a client's invitation to a special event• Bartering goods or services for professional services27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingPotential for Creating Dual Relationships continued• Accepting a small gift from a client• Attending the same social, cultural, or religious activities• Giving a supportive hug8Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingThe line• Boundary crossing: a departure from commonly accepted practices that could potentially benefit clients.• Boundary violation: a serious breach that results in harm to clients.9Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEstablishing and Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries10Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingProblematic Boundary Behavior•Social• Financial• Workplace relationships11Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore Problematic Boundary Behavior• Business relationships• Multiple relationships • Physical touch12Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingRole Blending313Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMeasures that can minimize the risk of dual relationships• Maintain healthy boundaries • Use informed consent to discuss issues surrounding dual relationships• Talk with clients about any potential conflicts that may arise14Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore measures• Consult with other professionals when dilemmas arise• Document any dual relationship in case notes• Refer when necessary15Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingThe Ban on Nonsexual Dual Relationships16Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSome Suggested NEVERS• NEVER:• Touch a client• Indulge in boundary crossing• Go to lunch or have coffee with a client17Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore NEVERS• Treat a spouse or friend of a client• Meet clients in social situations• Join the same church or synagogue as a client18Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingControversies on Boundary Issues419Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMain issues to consider when deciding on a dual relationship•Potential risk• Conflict of interest• Impairment of counselors judgment• Client rights20Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingBartering for Professional Services21Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingBefore bartering is entered into• Both parties should:• talk about the arrangement• have a clear understanding of the exchange• agree on it22Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMaking a Decision about Bartering23Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingGiving or Receiving Gifts24Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingFactors that should be reviewed before accepting a gift• Monetary value of the gift• Clinical implications of accepting the gift• When in the counseling process is the offering of a gift occurring525Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore factors• Motivations in accepting the gift• Cultural implications26Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSocial Relationship with Clients27Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingReasons for discouraging becoming socially involved with clients• Counselors may not be as confrontive as they need to be.• Counselors own needs to be liked may lead them to be less challenging.28Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore reasons• Counselors own needs may be enmeshed with those of their clients to the point that objectivity is lost.• Are at greater risk of exploiting clients because of the power differential in the therapeutic relationship.29Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSexual Attractions in the Client –Therapist Relationship30Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSuggestions for Dealing with Sexual Attractions• Acknowledge the feelings of sexual attraction to yourself.• Explore the reasons you are attracted to this client.• Never act out the feelings of attraction.631Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingMore suggestions• Seek personal counseling if needed to understand your feelings about this client.• Monitor boundaries by setting clear limits.• If you are unable to resolve your feelings, terminate the professional relationship.32Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSexual Relationships: Ethical and Legal Issues• Sexual fantasies• Behaving seductively with clients• May influence clients to focus on romantic or sexual feelings towards them33Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingSexual Relationships: Ethical and Legal Issues continued• May engage in physical contact that is primary intended to arouse or satisfy their sexual desires.34Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEthical Standards on Sexual Contact with Clients• Sexual contact with current clients is prohibited.• Sexual misconduct is considered to be one of the more serious of all ethical violations and is one of the most common allegations in malpractice suits.35Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingEthical Standards on Sexual Contact with Clients continued• It is the most disruptive and potentially damaging boundary violation.36Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingAt Risk Therapists737Psyc 475 – Professional Ethics in Addictions CounselingTo minimize risks, counselors should• Learn to recognize