Ethics in Counseling
Boundary Issues and the Dual Relationship
By
Jennifer Ewings Willis
PCN 505, Ethics in Professional Counseling
Dr. Gloria Gabler, Instructor
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships
In the Counseling field, Counselors will encounter many instances of boundary
issues. These types issues will occur when practitioners establish more than one
relationship with clients. These relationships can be come professional, personal
and work related. In our field of work, boundary issues will occur when mental health
professionals encounter a potential or actual conflict in the professional, personal an or
business relationship. A prime example of this boundary crossing/dual relationship is
when a client is also a business associate, close friend, or family member of the therapist.
In this situation, It would become difficult when conflicts arise for the therapist to look
at things in an objective fashion.
Boundaries or Professional Distance in Counseling is needed so that Counselors
may be able to exercise proper judgment when working with Clients. As a future
Counselor, it is important for me to set good boundaries. I must ensure that the clients
understand that the boundaries lines must not be crossed. I must also explain to the
client, the consequences that will occur should the boundary lines become crossed. There
are several reasons why boundaries or Professional distance is needed:
• The Counselor would not be able to exercise proper judgment. It may be constituted as the Counselor showing favoritism with the Client.
• The Counselor, in order to be effective, must allow for the client to take responsibility for his her own actions and decisions. This is done by allowing the Client s to fully experience their own consequence for their actions. This also
By
Jennifer Ewings Willis
PCN 505, Ethics in Professional Counseling
Dr. Gloria Gabler, Instructor
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships
In the Counseling field, Counselors will encounter many instances of boundary
issues. These types issues will occur when practitioners establish more than one
relationship with clients. These relationships can be come professional, personal
and work related. In our field of work, boundary issues will occur when mental health
professionals encounter a potential or actual conflict in the professional, personal an or
business relationship. A prime example of this boundary crossing/dual relationship is
when a client is also a business associate, close friend, or family member of the therapist.
In this situation, It would become difficult when conflicts arise for the therapist to look
at things in an objective fashion.
Boundaries or Professional Distance in Counseling is needed so that Counselors
may be able to exercise proper judgment when working with Clients. As a future
Counselor, it is important for me to set good boundaries. I must ensure that the clients
understand that the boundaries lines must not be crossed. I must also explain to the
client, the consequences that will occur should the boundary lines become crossed. There
are several reasons why boundaries or Professional distance is needed:
• The Counselor would not be able to exercise proper judgment. It may be constituted as the Counselor showing favoritism with the Client.
• The Counselor, in order to be effective, must allow for the client to take responsibility for his her own actions and decisions. This is done by allowing the Client s to fully experience their own consequence for their actions. This also