PCN-505 T8 Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices

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Grand Canyon University *

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PCN-505

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Apr 3, 2024

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1 Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Glenda A. Robles College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University PCN-505 – Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics Tracy Knighton November 29, 2023

2 Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices The focus of this paper will be to discuss the ethical boundaries and practices of the counselor. Boundary issues and dual relationships will be discussed. Professional collaboration in counseling, including working with a multidisciplinary team will be reviewed. Relationships with supervisors and colleagues will be examined. Speaking in the first person, the development of my thinking regarding ethics will be discussed. Responsible practice and ethical boundaries require the use of informed, sound, and responsible judgment as well as a willingness to collaborate and consult with colleagues. Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships According to the American Counseling Association [ACA] (2014) ethics code, a multiple relationship occurs when a practitioner works in a professional capacity with an individual while also serving in a different capacity with the same individual or someone close to them. Concerns about ethics arise when counselors mix a nonprofessional relationship with a client with their professional one. The NAADAC Code of Ethics (2021), makes it clear that dual relationships within the counseling profession should be avoided. However, it states that if it cannot be avoided, care should be taken not to exploit that client, supervision should be sought, and all steps should be documented (NAADAC, 2021). Unless there is strong therapeutic rationale, counselors should exercise caution when taking on several roles with a client. They also need to take precautions to reduce the risk of harm to the client (Corey, Schneider-Corey & Corey, 2019a). Younggren and Gottlieb (2004) recommend that when counselors are weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a multiple connection, they employ an ethical, risk-managed

3 decision-making model. Younggren and Gottlieb (2004) advise practitioners to consider the following queries in order to make wise choices regarding dual relationships: Is it vital to enter a relationship outside of the professional one, or should it be avoided? Can the client possibly suffer harm from the dual relationship? Would the additional relationship prove advantageous if danger seemed unlikely? If so, which party stands to gain more—the client, the counselor, or both? Is there a chance the therapy connection can be ruined by the relationship? Can the counselor assess this issue impartially? Having a physical attraction toward a client and acting upon it would be an example of a dual relationship violation in a counseling situation. It is explicitly stated in the American Mental Health Counselors Association's (AMHCA, 2020) and ACA’s Code of Ethics (2014) that having romantic or sexual relationships with clients' partners, family members, or current clients is forbidden. Using the decision-making model from Younggren and Gottlieb (2004), the client could possibly suffer harm from this dual relationship and there is very high likelihood that the therapy connection would be ruined by this relationship. If a professional was counseling a client and that client or someone in their family was also providing a service to the counselor this would be an example of a dual relationship. For instance, a client’s spouse is a computer repair technician. The therapist needs repairs done on their computer and requests that the client ask their spouse to perform that service. Using Younggren and Gottlieb (2004) decision-making model the situation is more advantageous to the counselor than to the client. Both the client and the counselor may have something to gain in this situation. The counselor may expect a discount and the client will benefit monetarily.

4 Non-erotic touching could be an unethical boundary crossing. Non-erotic touching can be appropriate and have great therapeutic value, despite concerns that it may eventually lead to sexual exploitation. Touch may be comforting and a vital component of the healing process; it can also be a sincere way for a therapist to show their love and care (Corey, Schneider-Corey & Corey, 2019a). Therapists must carefully consider if touching clients is appropriate because it may also be done simply to satisfy the therapist's own desires (Koocher & Keith-Speigel, 2016). It is necessary to consider client characteristics, the professional environment, the therapist's theoretical perspective, and the nature of the therapeutic alliance when evaluating touch, according to Zur (2007) and Zur and Nordmarken (2009). Therapist self-disclosure is an example of a boundary crossing. A client may wonder if they are being heard in therapy if their counselor spends a lot of time talking about themselves. Numerous theoretical frameworks support the therapist's timely and appropriate disclosure, but this self-disclosure must serve the client's interests. Never should a therapist's self-disclosure burden the client or make them feel as though they must look after the therapist (Corey, Schneider-Corey & Corey, 2019a). Professional Collaboration: Working with a Multidisciplinary Team To guarantee high-quality client treatment, a counselor for substance abuse may work in a team environment. This team may consist of human-service workers with different levels of education and training, social workers, community organizers and developers, clinical mental health counselors, detox specialist, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, counselors, couples and family therapists, artists, and activists (Corey, Schneider-Corey & Corey, 2019b). Literally speaking, a multidisciplinary approach to addiction therapy refers to approaching the

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