Ethical Decision On The Allowance Of Dual Relationships With A Client

Ethical dilemmas may arise during the course of a human service professional’s time with the client. The difficulty in finding a resolution to an ethical dilemma depends on the human service professional’s ethical practice and personal belief system. I believe that I would have little difficulty avoiding a dual relationship. My personal belief system tells me that a dual relationship creates a conflict of interest between the human service professional and the client. It leaves the door open for exploitation between both parties. It is a very fine line to walk when trying to gain the trust of the client. However, the main objective is to respect the integrity of the client and avoid any activities that could open the door to an intimate relationship that is unprofessional. I had an experience where the client’s sister was interested in me and wanted to know me in a way that was unprofessional. Ethically, I knew it was wrong and because of my personal belief I chose not to entertain her. Then, I notified my supervisor. An ethical dilemma that would be difficult for me to handle would be when a spouse shares information in confidentiality during marriage counseling, but does not want the other spouse to know. If I am counseling a husband and wife,

Many times in counseling sessions, situations arise that require the ability to make ethical decisions. When confronting these types of situations, counselors often refer to the Elizabeth Reynold Welfel’s Ethical Model, comprised of 10 steps, to guide them in making an ethical decision. These steps provide a framework which counselors may use to help with ethical dilemmas. Below are the 10 steps in the Ethical Decision-Making Model provided by Elizabeth Welfel in the book Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy to examine the multiple relationship case described in Herlihy and Corey’s ACA Ethical Standards Casebook (2006, p. 242) "A

As a social worker many problems may arise because of the constant grey area of either letting your personal values interfere with your professional opinion. It is essential to provide your client with information and tools to help them succeed and overcome their problems. Following the core values is essential to being a resourceful, competent social worker. In some cases, core values are in conflict. In a situation where more than one core value is in conflict it is considered an ethical dilemma (Hick, 2009). It’s not guaranteed that a perfect solution will arise, therefore one of the core values is subsided because the other has more of an impact on the client.

The ethical dilemma concerns the client’s best interest vs do no harm. The case worker is attempting to determine the best placement for each of the sisters, together or separately. All client systems must be considered carefully in order to prevent harm to either parties. In order to make a

Ethical dilemmas happen frequently in the social work and how one handles them could be the difference on how a clinician keeps their license or not. The problem is there is no way to prepare a person from knowing what situations will arise. Scenarios arise all the time and new ways to handle them is constantly changing. The ethical dilemma can happen anywhere and at any time with anyone, it could be a client, co-worker, and even supervisors. No social worker is safe from them. One however can practice with scenarios and be aware of personal biases. A social worker needs to evaluate each dilemma with the different frameworks and principals to determine which one applies best, anticipate what possible outcomes could happen, and what interventions a social worker would implement.

As a social worker and or a human services worker we must focus on helping the client and the best interest of the client. In certain situations, we all carry to our picked range of work our own particular convictions and qualities. (SWT) Most of the clients that you come across and that you will help will be helpless, that would be why we are working with them, and are in need of a buffer from anymore abuse. We may need to change some of these convictions keeping in mind the end goal to work agreeably and for the best conclusion of our clients in the work setting. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your client you must keep tabs on moral issues identified by the “code of conduct” that you agree to when you decide to work in this field, you have to be attentive to individual qualities and how they may effect of the quality of care that you give.

In the mental health field, dual relationships can often be damaging to both the client and the therapist. There are several situations where dual relationships, whether considered ethical or not, affect the course of treatment for the client, and the personal lives of therapists. Although some forms of dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, engaging in a personal relationship between patient and client always involves the possibility of skewing therapeutic results. Dual relationships are defined as having relations with the client outside of therapy, and in most cases it is considered to be unethical. There are four main types of dual relationships including professional, social, business, and sexual. A professional dual

The purpose of this study was to examine and understand the types of activities viewed as either ethical or unethical by psychologists practicing in different settings and orientation. Psychologists from the district of Hilo, Hawaii completed questionnaire and survey concerning the behaviors and acts that lead practitioners to engage in dual roles with client. Measures included demographic questionnaire and the Therapeutic Practices Survey. The participants rated the degree or level to which each behavior or act was ethical. A majority believed dual role behaviors to be unethical under most conditions and some reported that they have rarely or never engage in such behaviors. The profession and practice setting did not vary among terms of involvements, which includes incidental, social/financial, and dual roles. A review of previous studies and literature assisted in revealing the nature of relationships, ethical guidelines provided, and limits of boundaries for relationships. This study offers data to support the need for awareness of activities and behaviors leading to dual roles and the settings of practitioners most at risk.

The ethical principle set forth by the NASW states “social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person (NASW, 2008).” The social worker in this case has a duty to treat the clients respectfully and be mindful of individual differences, culture, and ethnic diversity. As the social worker, it was imperative that I work with Stephanie to build upon her capacities and seek ways to guide her to be capable to address her own needs.

One ethical principles from the core values that I feel most strongly that is needed is dignity and worth of the person. If we, as the practitioners don’t believe our client is worthy then we would be incapable of advocating for them, servicing them, and putting the effort required to help them. Dignity and Worth of the person mean believing everyone deserves the same treatment. We have to be able to accept our client’s culture, sexual orientation, anything that makes them who they are. If we can accept our client, we will not be able to work with them. Another reason I believe dignity and worth of the person is essential, is because Social Workers need that reminder when dealing with clients that might have committed a crime against an innocent person.

Many individuals opt for the field of social work so that others may grow and improve their way of life and have a stable living style. However, while providing this sort of help to the clients, it is important that social workers are aware of their ethical boundaries and have communicated this to their clients as well. Setting and maintain clear boundaries is a very important part of every profession. As far as social work is concerned where the worker directly influences the lives of his clients, this practice becomes more important as it has a direct impact on ones' professional integrity. Where we see number of complaints filed against the social workers for breach of ethical boundaries, it is important to understand what these limitations are and how to adhere to them.

Sexual intimacies are another area in which similarities and differences can be observed between the two codes of ethics. Both codes of ethics prohibit sexual and romantic relationships between counselors and clients. Sections A.5.a and A.5.b of the ACA code of ethics clearly state this (American Counseling Association, 2005, p 5). This is also clearly stated in section 1-131 of the AACC code of ethics (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8.). At this point, it is necessary to point out differences between these two codes of ethics in this regards. The AACC guideline clearly forbids sexual and romantic relationships with former clients but provides an exception as stated in section 1-133 where possible marriage is involved (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8). On the other hand,

I'm glad you mentioned that website, because I will like to visit it as well just to ensure I'm not doing anything that I believe is ethical, but in reality isn't. The obvious ethical violations that are posted publicly, I have no issues with. My concern would be with the ethical issues that could have easily been an accident such as misdiagnoses, or dual relationship.

Therapy relationships with clients. The psychologist to patient relationship during therapy is a crucial aspect. It is within ethical guidelines that the psychologist clearly establish his role whether it be with an individual, group, or family therapist. These roles need to be understood for the variety of issues that may arise; one of which is the disclosure of information. Psychologists, for obvious reasons, are not to have sexual relationships with patients or former patients within a

Social workers should be aware of potential or existing conflicts of interest, should not engage in dual relationships with clients or former clients, nor take advantage of professional relationships for personal gains. Under no circumstances should a social worker engage in sexual relations or physical contact with clients or client’s relatives even if it is consensual. Services should not be provided to an individual who has had previous sexual relations with the professionals. Social workers should not make “sexual