Dual Relationships Case Study
Dual Relationships Page 1
Ethical Dilemma: Dual Relationships
Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Human Services
Instructor Fowler
Shawna Sparlin
University of Phoenix
Dual Relationships Page 2
Mary has been seeing her counselor for some months now to work on commitment issues. She has been dating Robert on and off again for the past year. Robert has asked her to marry him and she has said yes. Mary feels ready to take this step due to the progress she has made with her counselor. Mary has invited her counselor to her wedding. Should he attend? Is it a breach of ethics to attend a social function given by a client? These types of questions have been asked by counselors and therapists for years. Where does one draw the line in a helping relationship? According to the AAMFT code of ethics, section 1.3, therapists are aware of their influential position and avoid exploiting the trust of the client …show more content…
Both the therapist and the client should be aware of what the boundaries are. Some boundaries include, but are not limited to, no socializing with the client, no gifts to be exchanged, no goods or services accepted as payment for the sessions and not counseling friends or relatives (Kitchener, 1988). The relationship between counselor and client is very intense and personal and without clear boundaries it is very easy for this relationship to shift from a professional one to a personal one.
Dual relationships in any helping profession are hard to avoid. It is up to the therapist to remain professional and look out for the best needs of the client. The counselor’s personal values and their professional code of ethics will help them to set boundaries with the client. Once the boundaries have been established they should not be crossed or violated as this harms both parties. Should Mary’s counselor attend her wedding? As a professional, no he should
Ethical Dilemma: Dual Relationships
Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Human Services
Instructor Fowler
Shawna Sparlin
University of Phoenix
Dual Relationships Page 2
Mary has been seeing her counselor for some months now to work on commitment issues. She has been dating Robert on and off again for the past year. Robert has asked her to marry him and she has said yes. Mary feels ready to take this step due to the progress she has made with her counselor. Mary has invited her counselor to her wedding. Should he attend? Is it a breach of ethics to attend a social function given by a client? These types of questions have been asked by counselors and therapists for years. Where does one draw the line in a helping relationship? According to the AAMFT code of ethics, section 1.3, therapists are aware of their influential position and avoid exploiting the trust of the client …show more content…
Both the therapist and the client should be aware of what the boundaries are. Some boundaries include, but are not limited to, no socializing with the client, no gifts to be exchanged, no goods or services accepted as payment for the sessions and not counseling friends or relatives (Kitchener, 1988). The relationship between counselor and client is very intense and personal and without clear boundaries it is very easy for this relationship to shift from a professional one to a personal one.
Dual relationships in any helping profession are hard to avoid. It is up to the therapist to remain professional and look out for the best needs of the client. The counselor’s personal values and their professional code of ethics will help them to set boundaries with the client. Once the boundaries have been established they should not be crossed or violated as this harms both parties. Should Mary’s counselor attend her wedding? As a professional, no he should