Deck 9: Managing Boundary Issues

Question 1

__________ should be evaluated by considering factors such as context, history, current status of the professional relationship, the reaction of the client to the multiple relationships, and how the therapist explains the purpose of the boundary crossing within the context of the goals of the professional relationship.

A) Sexual overlapping relationships
B) Sexual non-overlapping relationships
C) Nonsexual non-overlapping relationships
D) Nonsexual overlapping relationships

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Dual/multiple relationships are generally discouraged because

A) these relationships are also illegal.
B) such relationships always impair professional judgment.
C) there is a danger of exploiting the client.
D) clients often misuse their power in the transference relationship.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Jenny's adolescent cousin recently got into trouble with the law. Jenny was asked by her family to counsel him since she knows the family history from a personal point of view. If Jenny did counsel her cousin, she would

A) be in a dual relationship.
B) be in an unavoidable situation.
C) have to seek supervision.
D) document all services provided.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following would maximize the risks inherent in dual or multiple relationships?

A) Set healthy boundaries from the outset.
B) Secure informed consent of clients and discuss with them both the potential risks and benefits of dual relationships.
C) Document any dual relationships in clinical case notes.
D) Become romantically involved with the client.

Question 5

With regard to __________, none of the codes state that they are unethical.

A) illegal relationships
B) sexual dual relationships
C) boundary violations
D) nonsexual dual relationships

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true concerning dual relationships?

A) Dual relationships are avoidable and always harmful.
B) Dual relationships challenge helpers to examine the motivations for their practice.
C) Few absolute answers can be applied in the resolutions of dual relationship dilemmas.
D) Before becoming involved in a dual relationship, it is good practice to seek consultation from colleagues or a supervisor.

Question 7

When there is potential for negative consequences arising from a dual relationship, it is the responsibility of the professional to adhere to all of the following EXCEPT

A) secure the informed consent of clients and discuss with them both the potential risks and benefits of the relationship.
B) consult with other professionals.
C) seek supervision only if you want to.
D) document any dual relationships in clinical case notes.

Question 8

Home visits and out-of-office visits fall into the category of

A) boundary crossings.
B) boundary violations.
C) boundary considerations.
D) None of the above is correct.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an example of a multiple relationship?

A) One's instructor for didactic courses also serves as his or her clinical supervisor.
B) A therapist who generally uses a nondirective approach experiments with using some directive techniques.
C) A therapist and client develop a sexual relationship.
D) A poor farmer who needs mental health services exchanges vegetables and fruit for counseling.

Question 10

Martin has been Joanna's counselor for five years and has developed a strong attraction to her. He believes the attraction is mutual and decides to pursue a sexually intimate relationship with her. Martin is disregarding all of the following EXCEPT

A) all of the ethics codes of the professional organizations prohibit sexual relationships between client and therapist.
B) he would not be convicted of a felony.
C) his actions would likely result in exploiting and harming Joanna.
D) he could have his license revoked.

Question 11

What is an accepted ethical guideline in terms of having social and personal relationships with clients?

A) Therapists are advised to avoid dual relationships when harmful to the client; however, certain multiple relationships cannot be avoided.
B) Friendships with clients always have positive results in counseling.
C) Counseling a friend is beneficial to both people involved.
D) Any form of social relationships with clients always damages the therapeutic relationship.

Question 12

A study showed that when deciding whether or not to accept gifts from clients, psychologists were more likely to accept gifts that were

A) inexpensive, culturally appropriate, and given as a sign of appreciation at the end of treatment.
B) inexpensive, but sentimental in value.
C) offered any time during the course of treatment as a token of gratitude as long as they were relatively inexpensive.
D) expensive and tasteful.

Question 13

The APA (2010) ethics code offers three helpful criteria in making decisions about multiple relationships. These include all of the following EXCEPT

A) risk of exploitation.
B) loss of therapist objectivity.
C) assessment of benefit to the therapist.
D) harm to the professional relationship.

Question 14

The practice of bartering psychotherapy for either goods or services

A) is considered unethical by virtually all the ethical codes.
B) has the potential for conflicts.
C) is generally an illegal practice.
D) is always an attempt of the therapist to control the client.

Question 15

Departures from commonly accepted practices that could potentially benefit clients are referred to as

A) unethical boundaries.
B) boundary crossings.
C) boundary violations.
D) interpersonal boundaries.

Question 16

Codes of ethics deal _____ with setting appropriate boundaries, recognizing potential conflicts of interest, and taking steps to manage multiple relationships.

A) specifically and extensively
B) minimally and ineffectively
C) increasingly, but insufficiently
D) unrealistically

Question 17

Therapists who make home visits

A) are behaving unethically.
B) are behaving illegally.
C) do not have to follow the same laws.
D) receive firsthand view of the client's home, neighborhood, and community.

Question 18

Discussing sexual feelings about clients

A) should never occur under any circumstances.
B) should occur only with one's religious or spiritual advisor.
C) should ideally occur during internships and peer supervision groups.
D) should occur only with the client.

Question 19

Lucia is considering developing a multiple or dual relationship with her client. It's important for Lucia to remember

A) that all multiple relationships should be avoided because they are usually harmful.
B) that absolute answers are available to resolve dual or multiple relationship dilemmas.
C) to be cautious in order to protect herself from censure.
D) to consider whether the potential benefits outweigh the potential for harm.

Question 20

Which of the following is true concerning dual relationships?

A) There is a clear consensus among practitioners regarding nonsexual relationships in counseling.
B) Due to the fact that there are clinical, ethical, and legal risks, all blending of roles must be avoided.
C) Objectivity in counseling is enhanced with dual relationships.
D) Counselors need to make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients that could impart professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients.

Question 21

Home-based therapy has been used extensively with __________, mainly because many of these individuals have difficulty trusting traditional mental health professionals.

A) ethnic majority populations
B) ethnic minority populations
C) non-ethnic majority populations
D) married white women

Question 22

__________ occur when professionals assume two or more roles simultaneously or sequentially with a person seeking their help.

A) Multiple relationships
B) Professional relationships
C) Personal relationships
D) Normal relationships

Question 23

A __________ is a serious breach that causes harm to the client.

A) boundary setting
B) boundary relationship
C) boundary crossing
D) boundary violation

Question 24

Mental health professionals must learn how to effectively and ethically manage multiple relationships, including dealing with the power differential that is a basic part of most professional relationships, managing boundary issues, and striving to avoid the

A) use of power.
B) limit of power.
C) misuse of power.
D) increase in power.

Question 25

One way to broaden your awareness of the importance of creating and maintaining appropriate boundaries in the helping relationship is to

A) focus on your personal relationships and the boundaries you place on them.
B) complete the self-inventory on managing boundaries.
C) determine whether boundaries are necessary in the relationship.
D) understand the only time boundaries are needed is when working with ethnic minority populations.