Summary: Sexual Dual Relationship

Dual relationships are present whenever a therapist interacts with a client in any function beyond the one role as a therapist. When a therapist performs a role other than being a therapist for the client, it may introduce desires and goals that pertain to the therapist rather than the client. These desires can risk the possibility that the therapist will place their needs above the clients. One of the most common examples of this is a sexual dual relationship or often referred to as a conflict of interest. This is where therapist and client are also involved in a sexual relationship. Sexual dual relationships with clients are always immoral and often illegal. This type of dual relationship, more than always, presents many dilemmas and ramifications.
The American Psychological Association code of ethics prohibits Psychologists from engaging in sexual relationships with students, supervisees and to include clients (APA 01: 7.07). Taking us back to chapter one again, practicing defensive ethics: risk management, will allow the professional to uphold the laws and policies to avoid ever being placed in these circumstances. Chapter ten of our text goes over multiple-role relationships including boundaries and the risk associated with them. The American Psychological Association defines multiple role relationships as occurring when a therapist is already in a professional role with a person and is also in another role with the same person, or someone related to that person with whom the therapist has a personal relationship, or makes promises to enter another type of relationship with that person in the future (APA 02:
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