Ethical Boundaries and practices

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Grand Canyon University *

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Health Science

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May 29, 2024

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Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Elizabeth Jones Grand Canyon University CNL-505: Professional Counseling, Ethical and Legal Considerations Dr. Duane Johnson 02/07/2024 1

Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Counselors have a wonderful opportunity as well as a responsibility in taking their clients on a successful healing journey by providing the best services possible while still maintaining the ethical standards the have chosen to uphold. To be successful a counselor must also remain bias and objective in all sessions with their clients. Avoidance of any situation that could form a blind spot in their ethical morals. There are several different dynamics involved in counseling as well as several types of relationships that are built. The counseling profession has been challenged a lot over time by the proper way to set and maintain the appropriate boundaries with their therapeutic relationships (Herlihy, 2017). Being able to have boundaries and conduct becoming of a respectful counselor despite the several types of dynamics within the counseling profession will ensure the security and success of the counselor’s career and the wellbeing of their clients. Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships Clear and concise boundaries are important for creating a safe environment for not only the clients but the counselor as well. If a boundary line is crossed it can lead to the counselor appearing to serve their own needs rather than the needs of their client (V.K. Aravind et al., 2012). Even though it may not appear as boundary violation, or a dual relationship could hinder their judgment and services to their client it very well could. If there is a chance that the counselor dual role with a client will be conflicting it is expected that the counselor clarifies, adjusts, or terminates the role with the client in the appropriate manner (ACA, 2014). The relationships that a counselor builds with those outside of their own personal circle are much easier to manage and less likely to cause any ethical violations. Whereas if a counselor is involved personally with a client or perspective client the likelihood of a potential violations is much higher especially if there is a physical attraction. There can be a distinction between 2

finding a client or counselor attractive versus feelings accompanied by the attraction. If there is simply an attraction continual monitoring would be necessary to ensure no escalation to feelings arises (Corey, et. al., 2024). If a feeling does arise from the attraction must be addressed ethically and respectfully by both the client and the counselor if a referral or termination of services is deemed necessary prevention is far better than accusations of misconduct. Professional Collaboration in Counseling: Working with a Multidisciplinary Team There are times when collaborations with a multidisciplinary team could be beneficial but also challenging. If there are differing views, cultures our disciplines among professionals’ collaborative efforts could be hard to navigate. But in doing what is best for the client all these differences should be set aside. It has been said that counselors and the counseling profession often have different challenges or struggles since counseling is one of the youngest helping professions (Walz et. al., 2013). If a counselor is unsure of what specialization or boundaries the individual with whom you seek to collaborate with there would be restrictions on what can be discussed. Education about the boundaries or knowledge base with whom a counselor is collaborating with could be a beneficial tool in moving forward with collaborations. This can be of great benefit to the counselor due to more education of specializations the better understanding they will have but also the clients they serve could benefit from multiple facets of counseling services. The ACA code D.1.c Interdisciplinary Teamwork best states the idea of collaboration with A reminder that counselors are part of an interdisciplinary team, and we all participate and communicate decisions on the well beings of our clients and learning from other values and perspectives or experience can only benefit the outcome of the shared client (ACA, 2014). 3

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