Term
| What are boundary issues? |
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Definition
| dual or multiple relationships; they occur when a helping professional have another different relationship with a client, student or supervisee. |
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Term
| Does the Code of Ethics prohibit all dual or boundary relationships? |
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Definition
| No, it provides standards and cautions counselors to avoid non professional relationships EXCEPT when helpful to client |
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Term
| What are the four characteristics that make boundary relationships problematic? |
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Definition
1-they can be hard to recognize
2-outcome of dual relationship can range from beneficial to extremely harmful
3-with the exception of sexual relationships, there is NO consensus on dual relationships for counselors
4-some dual relationships are unavoidable |
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Term
| What situations make boundary relationships difficult to avoid for some counselors? |
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Definition
These situations are called 'small worlds'
Rural settings, military communities, pastoral counseling, GLBTQ counselors, substance abuse counselors in recovery,culturally different counselors who have community members who seek them out. |
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Term
| What are the risks or potential to harm from boundary/dual relationships for clients? |
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Definition
| Counselor loses objectivity; power differential in relationship; incompatible expectations, divergent responsitibilites |
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Term
| What are some potential benefits to dual relationships for clients? |
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Definition
| Rigid adherence to boundaries can weaken therapeutic bond (Zur, 2007). Some argue can strengthen counseling relationship |
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Term
| What is a 'boundary crossing' in a counseling relationship? |
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Definition
| A departure from a commonly accepted practice that occurs to benefit the client at that moment. |
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Term
| What is a boundary violation? |
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Definition
| A violation is a breach of the counseling relationship that causes the client harm |
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Term
| Which types of clients must have clear boundaries? |
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Definition
| Borderline, dissociative, delusional, any personality disorder. Clients with limited social networks |
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Term
| What are the legal issues surrounding boundary issues and dual relationships? |
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Definition
| If a counselor is called to answer a complaint, any deviation from strict clear boundaries can be called into question |
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Term
| What are the ethical standards around bartering? |
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Definition
| Not prohibited, but discouraged. Always a question of quantity of services for quantity of goods; issues of quality. |
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Term
| What are three ethical standards around bartering in ACA Code? |
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Definition
1-relationship not exploitative or harmful
2-client requests it
3-such arrangements routing in community |
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Term
| What are some diversity issues around bartering and some alternatives for counselors? |
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Definition
Bartering may take place in rural areas.
Options: sliding scale, provinding set amount of pro bono services. |
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Term
| What are the issues around social relationships with clients? |
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Definition
| Therapeutic role and friendship cannot take place simultaneously. Lose objectivity, conflict of interest. No ethical standards about post counseling friendship |
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Term
| What are the risks associated with post-counseling friendships? |
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Definition
| therapeutic gains at risk, power differential, client vulnerable |
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Term
| What are the diversity issues associated with social relationships? |
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Definition
| Counselors of color may face more challenges as dual relationships may not be seen in negative light OR common language/culture creates connection |
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Term
| What are the standards around business relationships with clients? |
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Definition
| Needs further study; but if a counselor is making a profit or gain from a secondary relationship, the counselor's self interest is involved. |
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Term
| What does the Code of Ethics say about accepting gifts from clients? |
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Definition
| 'counselors understand challenge of accepting gifts, cultural issues,.." Best policy: have it spelled out in consent. |
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Term
| What issues should a counselor take into consideration when offered a gift from a client? |
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Definition
| Value of gift, client's motivation for giving, counselor's motivation for wanting gift, (can't benefit from client) |
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Term
| What cultural values surround gift giving? |
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Definition
| Sign of respect and gratitude in some cultures. Have rules in consent to avoid ambiguity |
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Term
| What are the concerns around the boundary issues of self-disclosure? |
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Definition
| SD okay if done for benefit of client and within context of therapeutic process; not okay if lonely; Inappropriate self disclosure can blur lines and boundaries and may precede sexual relationship |
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Term
| What are some diversity issues surrounding self-disclosure? |
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Definition
| Asian clients may see it as a betrayal of family; evidence that self-disclosure helps African American clients regardless of counselor race |
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Term
| What are the boundary issues surrounding physical touch with clients?? |
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Definition
| Considered risky. Counselors may be turned down for liability insurance if they answer on form that they do sometimes touch clients. |
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Term
| What is a decision making model a counselor can used when embarking on a dual relationship? (4 steps) |
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Definition
1)ask if relationship is avoidable or not
2)will benefits outweigh risk for harm?
3)Consider the factors that could create harm
4)Imagine what the best and worst possible outcome could be |
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Term
| What should a counselor do if the dual relationship cannot be avoided and he/she determines it could do harm? |
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Definition
| Decline to enter dual relationship and possibly refer |
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Term
| What safeguards should a counselor put in place if benefits of dual relationship outweigh risks and dual/rel entered? |
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Definition
| Have client sign informed consent regarding decision to proceed; discuss risks and benefits; have a signed consent for risks and relationship; seek consultation, have ongoing discussion about dual rela.; document; self monitor; obtain supervision |
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Term
| Is the amount of sexual contact between counselors and clients increasing in report or decreasing historically? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the characteristics of inappropriate sexual relationships between client and counselor? |
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Definition
| Male counselor/female client; most repeat offenders; impaired counselor in life crisis. |
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Term
| What are the harmful long-term effects of client counselor sexual relationship? |
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Definition
| Ambivalence about counselor; guilt or rage; feelings of isolation; impaired ability to trust, increased risk of suicide, symptoms of PTSD |
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Term
| What the rules/standards regarding relationships with former clients? |
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Definition
| 5 years following last professional contact; ethical standard, not necessarily legal |
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Term
| What are the legal consequences for offending counselors who have sex with clients? |
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Definition
| Excellent case for client in civil lawsuit; can be sued on multiple grounds- emotional distress, battery, breach of contract...more |
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Term
| Are there criminal consequences for counselors who engage in sexual relationships with clients? |
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Definition
| Yes, it varies by state. But some states do have criminal laws for counselors who engage in sex with clients. Can be a felony |
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Term
| What standards surrounding a post counseling sexual relationship with a former client? |
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Definition
| Same five years, but client cannot be harmed by relationship; must demonstrate forethought in writing. in one study 80% of clients who had post counseling sex with a counselor reported damage. |
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Term
| What should one do if a client reports that they've been abused by a former counselor? |
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Definition
| follow wishes of client in reporting; must guard against intrusive advocacy. |
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