Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client. In instances when dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, social workers should take steps to protect clients and are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. (Dual or multiple relationships occur when social workers relate to clients in more than one relationship, whether professional, social, or business. Dual or multiple relationships can occur simultaneously or consecutively.)
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has written a code of ethics that serves many purposes. The main purpose is to identify the core ethics and values that provide the foundation for the profession. It details six basic principles for social workers to follow: service, social justice, dignity and worth, human relationships, integrity, and competence (National Association of Social Workers, 1999). The code acts as an ethical guide for students, and those professionals just
The NASW Code of Ethics (2008), states that “Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client” (standard 1.06[c]). The code also address undue influences, a social worker for any reason should not take advantage of a client for his/ her own personal gain or exploit them upon their own personal beliefs(standard 1.06[b]). To avoid dual relationships and exploration of a client or colleague, the social worker need to set clear boundaries with the clients and colleagues.
As a social worker, there are guidelines you have to abide by. You have different values and ethics to follow as well. Values and ethics that you follow are vital and important in different ways. Social workers have to make certain decisions based upon ethics and values. These values and ethics bring us to what we call the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The NASW is very important for social workers to follow and use as a guide in their profession. It is divided into different sections to follow to use as a guideline to help our clients. The main purpose for the NASW is basically to improve and develop our clients we are working with and their environment. Social workers have a responsibility when it comes
As a social worker, there are obligations you should abide by in the field of practice. Dual relationships should among the client and the social worker should never take place in the field of practice. The NASW Code of Ethics, section 2.07 states, social workers who decides to engage in sexual intercourse with their client’s, will suffered many consequences for their actions. (NASW Assembly, 2008).
Social workers need to turn themselves and the client in order to provide effective treatment. This is similar to therapeutic alliance, a social worker must be well rounded. If a social worker is completely professional the client may feel inferior and hold back their emotions and actions. We need to tune into ourselves and the client to make sure that we are both being direct in our communication, and to get in touch with feelings the client may have (Shulman, 2012, p. 72).
In every professional relationship, there is power inequality and the likelihood of discrimination and abuse. Therefore, in other to prevent such abuse, the notion of professional boundaries is promoted, however. these boundaries are presented as basic for everyone (O’Leary, Tsui and Ruch 2013). Social work is a relationship-based profession and making a decision on where to place boundaries is a serious challenge. Some level of professional closeness is required to develop a relationship, but this should be balanced with some level of professional distance (Banks and Nohr 2012). Doel (2012) points out if social worker encounter service users in social situations boundaries can become blurred Gottleib (1993), Miller (1998) and Pope (2005) as cited in Pugh (2007) points out that the relationship between social workers and service users (referred to as ‘dual relationships’) cannot be controlled or circumvented at all times.
Being a social worker comes with many responsibilities where it is crucial to act in an ethical and professional manner. One of those responsibilities is establishing boundaries with clients that must not be broken. This means that there should not be a dual relationship between the social worker and client, meaning the professional enters into a second role with the client. In this reading, I learned the different categories of boundaries a social worker could violate whether intentionally or by accident.
The relationship between a therapist and their client is a very important. However, too many relationships with a client can be potentially harmful to the client as well as the therapist. American Psychological Association (APA) Codes of Ethics 3.05a deals with how to ethically handle multiple relationships. A dual or a multiple relationship exists whenever a counselor has other connections with a client in addition or in succession to the counselor–client relationship (Moleski & Kiselica, 2005). A multiple relationship occurs when any of the following happens: a psychologist enters into a professional role with a client and (1) and at the same time enters into another role
Dual relationships, and psychotherapy clients has been the subject of controversy in professional psychology. Generally these relationships are considered to be unethical. (Zur, 2015). Dual relationships in psychotherapy refers to any situation where various roles are present between a therapist and a consumer. Examples of this relationship are when a client is a friend, student, family member, or employer in connection with therapist or the one providing treatment or services.
Dual relationships are very controversial within all helping professions. It can bring positive and negative components to a situation. There should always be a clear boundary and form of consent and agreement set by the social worker, or any health service professional to their client. However in some cases, it is vital for a client and work professionals to establish a relationship. This is an important component for a successful session or procedure. In this paper, I will discuss the ethical dilemma revealed between Dr. Green, the Psychologist and teacher, and the client, 19 year-old, Ava Jones.
For that reason, in the mental health professions, dual relationships are generally not recommended. Thus, if your friend who’s a psychologist assumes two more roles consecutively with a client, this is considered a dual relationship. For instance, if an individual held a role as a counselor and business partner, or client and friend, this is a considered a dual relationship. Common examples of dual relationships include: bartering therapy for goods or services; providing
Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty or fraud. Any instances of misconduct should be reported to management immediately.
As a Social Worker we need to create a good alliance with our client, no matter what the client did or done. We are not in the field of judgment; we are for helping and engage the individual,
The National Association of Social Work (NASW) provides several ethical guidelines to uphold the integrity of the social work field. One issue that can arise when students are writing case studies over clients is that they have the possibility of not holding fast to the ethical principle of “respect[ing] the dignity and worth of the person (“Code of Ethics,” 2008). Students need to ensure that they are treating their clients like human beings, and not just a characters in a case study. Social work students can do this by allowing their client to have input in the intervention. They need to show cultural competence and be aware of any issues the clint is struggling with. They also have to respect the client’s wishes and recognize that the client