Deck 8: Multiple Relationships and Boundary Issues: Risking Objectivity and Client Welfare

Question 1

Describe the difference between a boundary violation and a boundary crossing and give an example of each.Discuss the client dynamics that make boundary crossings potentially harmful to clients.

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Identify at least three reasons why avoiding dual relationships is a more difficult task for rural practitioners than urban practitioners.

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

What does the term "fiduciary responsibility"mean for mental health professionals? Also explain the terms that Simon (1992) has used to explain the same dynamic -- duty to abstinence and duty to neutrality.Give an example of a professional whose actions violate these standards.

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

A small but significant number of professionals have indicated that they have accepted friends as clients.Are they any situations under which you think such an action is ethically justifiable? Describe those situations and what justifies them in your mind.

Question 5

Under what circumstances is it ethically justifiable for a counselor or therapist to accept a gift from a client?

Question 6

What decision rules should a counselor use prior to accepting barter from a client? Give an example of a circumstance under which you believe accepting barter to be ethical and one in which it would be unethical.

Question 7

A multiple relationship is the same as:

A) A boundary extension
B) A dual relationship
C) A fiduciary relationship
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 8

The duty to abstinence is best defined as:

A) The obligation to refrain from sexual fantasies about a client
B) The duty to refuse to accept substantial gifts from clients
C) The duty to avoid gratifying self-interests in therapy
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 9

Role slippage refers to:

A) A therapist's loosening of boundaries in a professional relationship with a client
B) The therapist's tendency to allow a client to avoid or postpone payment of fees for counseling
C) The therapist's tendency to reverse roles with clients
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 10

Some scholars argue that dual relationships may be acceptable under the following circumstances:

A) If the therapist is exceptionally competent and experienced
B) If the good that can be accomplished outweighs the risk
C) If the client is not a minor or an adult with a severe mental illness
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 11

Which of the following is expressly prohibited by the ACA Code of Ethics:

A) Providing therapy to a current employee
B) Providing therapy to an old friend
C) Entering into a business relationship with a client
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 12

Gifts to a counselor or therapist are acceptable if:

A) The client asks permission in advance to bring a gift to a future session
B) The value of the gift does not represent a financial hardship to the client
C) The therapist is neutral about the gift, in other words, does not prize it too much
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 13

Because of geographic considerations a rural practitioner:

A) Is a greater risk for dating a current or former client
B) Must carry higher levels of liability insurance because of the higher levels of risk of dual relationships
C) Is likely to have more circumstantial multiple relationships
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 14

According to the codes, barter is acceptable if:

A) The client is of limited economic resources
B) If there is not foreseeable risk of exploitation
C) If the cultural background of the client encourages barter
D) All of the above
E) None of the above