When an employee engages in personal relationships with clients, there is potential for biases within treatments, lack of fidelity to treatment, and failure to comply with treatment due to not wanting to upset the parent or client. Clients may expect preferential treatment from not only the clinician who is engaging in the non-professional relationship, but from other members of the team as well, and if they do not get it, they may wonder why there is inconsistency in treatment. Insurance companies and organizations could see increased costs due to the reporting and billing of services that are not actually being performed, which could impede client progress. As a behavior analyst, one is bound by the Code to be honest and truthful in all interactions and to provide services in the best interests of the client. When engaged in dual relationships, the potential for bias impedes one’s ability to remain objective and, therefore, has potential to do harm and affects honesty in reporting. When manipulating ethical issues, it is very important to consider all those involved, how they are being effected, in what way in order to determine what ethical codes may be being broken. Further, it is imperative to document all conversations and actions taken with regards to ethical issues not only to protect ones-self from potential repercussions of actions, but to refer to in the event a similar situation presents itself again in the future. In facing an ethical dilemma, the BCBA who is familiar with the Code, the local and regional laws, and the organizational policy is best prepared to handle them most efficiently; however, honesty, truthfulness, and good interpersonal skills are equally necessary when presenting the ethical issues to those involved in order to achieve the best
When an employee engages in personal relationships with clients, there is potential for biases within treatments, lack of fidelity to treatment, and failure to comply with treatment due to not wanting to upset the parent or client. Clients may expect preferential treatment from not only the clinician who is engaging in the non-professional relationship, but from other members of the team as well, and if they do not get it, they may wonder why there is inconsistency in treatment. Insurance companies and organizations could see increased costs due to the reporting and billing of services that are not actually being performed, which could impede client progress. As a behavior analyst, one is bound by the Code to be honest and truthful in all interactions and to provide services in the best interests of the client. When engaged in dual relationships, the potential for bias impedes one’s ability to remain objective and, therefore, has potential to do harm and affects honesty in reporting. When manipulating ethical issues, it is very important to consider all those involved, how they are being effected, in what way in order to determine what ethical codes may be being broken. Further, it is imperative to document all conversations and actions taken with regards to ethical issues not only to protect ones-self from potential repercussions of actions, but to refer to in the event a similar situation presents itself again in the future. In facing an ethical dilemma, the BCBA who is familiar with the Code, the local and regional laws, and the organizational policy is best prepared to handle them most efficiently; however, honesty, truthfulness, and good interpersonal skills are equally necessary when presenting the ethical issues to those involved in order to achieve the best