chapter 7 Flashcards
ACA Codes of Ethics: Sexual Misconduct
“Sexual and/or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with
current clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited”
(ACA, 2014, A.5.a., p.5). This includes both in person and electronic.
Prohibited from engaging in counseling relationships with individuals you had a
previous sexual and/or romantic relationship with (ACA, 2014, A.5.b).
“Sexual or romantic counselor-client interactions or relationships with former
clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are prohibited for a
person of 5 years following the last professional contact. (ACA, 2014, A.5.c.
p. 5).
Counselors…demonstrate forethought and document (in written form) whether
the interactions or relationships can be viewed as eploitative in some way
and/or wheter there is still potential to harm the former client” (ACA, 2014,
A.5.b., p. 5).
Rationale for Prohibiting
Vulnerability of client: Clients come to therapy in an emotional
“weakened” condition. Clients mistake unconditional positive regard for
“romantic” attraction.
Exploitation of client: Power differential.
Who engages in sexual misconduct
Majority male perpetrators with female victims.
Typically older clients.
Research suggests perpetrators have a higher level of education and
professional accomplishment.
Tend to be repeat offenders.
Etiology of Sexual Misconduct: Why it happens
Role reversal. The wants and needs of the counselor become the focus of
treatment.
It is what the client needs. Counselor claims sexual intimacy is a valid
treatment.
It just got out of hand. Counselor fails to treat emotional closeness with
professional attention and respect.
Need to be held. Counselor exploits needs of client.
Not in the office. Counselor fails to acknowledge that the therapeutic
relationship continues outside of the office.
You need me. Counselor exploits client’s dependence.
Drug induced. Counselor uses drugs as part of seduction.
You better or else. Counselor uses threat or intimidation.
Transference-Client’s general reactions and orientation to the counselor.
Unfinished business distorts the way the client perceives and reacts to
counselor: Counselor as idea-the perfect person, does everything right,
without flaws. Counselor as seer-the expert, all-knowing, and all-
powerful. Counselor as nurturer-clients helpless, cannot act for self.
Countertransference.
Counselors should be aware of:
A need to “fix” or straighten out people.
A desire to take away all pain
A need to have all the answers.
A need to be perfect.
A need to be recognized and appreciated.
A tendency to assume too much responsibility.
Countertransference
Counselors emotional reactions to their clients-personal projections.
Examples:
Being overprotective of client.
Rejecting clients as too needy.
Need for approval and constant reinforcement.
Seeing self in clients-lose objectivity.
Compulsively giving advice.
A desire to develop social relationships.
Sexual or romantic feelings.
Good and bad of countertransference
Constructive applications: Can assist in revealing some significant
dynamics of a client. Recognizing patterns can help client change old
and dysfunctional themes.
Problematic applications: Counselor’s own needs or unresolved personal
conflicts become entangled in the therapeutic relationship, obstructing
or destroying a sense of objectivity. Ethical Issues-little therapeutic value
and using the client to meet your own needs.
Countertransference for the client:
Stops therapeutic progress.
Significant psychological damage:
Guilt
Emptiness and isolation
Sexual confusion
Inability to trust
Role and boundary confusion
Suppressed rage
Countertransference for counselor
Disciplinary actions
Civil actions: Malpractice, Negligent infliction of emotional distress,
Battery, Intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraudulent
misrepresentation, breach of contract, spouse loss of consortium (love,
companionship, services)
Become “hot potato”
Emotional and personal consequences
Consent is NOT a defense
Any…mental health service provider…wheter or not licensed or certified
by the state who knowingly engages in sexual contact with a person
who is not his or her spouse and who is a patient who is emotionally
dependent on the psychotherapist a the time of contact, commits a
class 5 felony (1 to 10 years or jail and/or a fine of up to 2, 500) (SD
22.22.28).
Sexual harassment
Counselors, supervisors, counselor educations, and researchers do
engage in or ignore sexual harassment (i.e., sexual solicitation, physical
advance, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature that
occurs in connection with professional activities or roles.
Can be a single incident or multiple persistent or pervasive acts (ACA,
2014).
Sexual misconduct cont.
Sexual or romantic interactions or relationships are prohibited in the
following relationships: Supervisor and current supervisees, Counselor
educators and current students, and counselor and current research
participants.
Counselor educators use caution when engaging in a social, sexual, or
other intimate relationship with former students (ACA, 2014).
What if you are sexually/romantically attracted to a client
Feeling a sexual attraction towards a client is not an ethical violation.
What is unethical is to act on the attraction!
Don’t think it will not happen to you.
If you are sexually attracted to a client, you have an ethical
responsibility to acknowledge and deal with it appropriately.
Consulting with colleagues.
Seek supervision.
Self-monitoring.
What if your client has been abused
Important to believe the client.
Do not minimize the seriousness.
Explain client rights to file a complaint.
Assist with the complaint process as needed.
Keep client’s disclosures confidential unless a mandated reporting law
exists (rare).
What if a client is sexually or romantically attracted to you
A client’s feelings towards you is not an ethical violation on your part.
What is unethical is to act on the attraction!
Don’t think it will not happen to you!
If a client admits a sexual/romantic attraction to you, you have an
ethical responsibility to acknowledge and deal with it appropriately.
With tact, ensure the client understands that such a relationships is not
possible.
Consult with colleagues.
Seek supervision.
Self-monitoring.
Non-sexual/erotic touch
The question of when a hug or a touch on the shoulder is ethical in the
absence of any sexual intent depends on several variables:
Theoretical orientation of the therapist
Client culture and religious identification
Client history and diagnosis
Client transference and attraction to therapist or therapist attraction to client.
Counselor education and supervision competence
F.3.b. Sexual Relationships with current supervisees is prohibited.
F.10.a. Sexual or Romantic Relationships are prohibited with current
students.
F.10.c. Relationships with former students are ok but should be
addressed between each because of power differentials.
F.10.d. Nonacademic relationships are to be avoided (until you graduate)
and you’re not coming over to mow my lawn!
