Section 8 Flashcards
On what grounds are psychologists most frequently disciplined?
S8: A
p 541
Boundary violations
Who was responsible for introducting the concept ot role boundaries into professional ethics and why
S8: A
p 541
By: feminist scholars
Why: they were upset at the (mostly sexual) exploitation of (mostly female) clients by (mostly male) professionals
What balance do psychologists try to strike in maintaining health boundaries with clients?
S8: A
p 541
Protecting personal autonomy and facilitating personal engagement
(find professional stance between under involvement and over involvement)
Why are boundaries so important to professional ethics?
S8: A
p 542
Because of the inherent power imbalance in our relationships with our clients
Instead of just avoiding dual relationships, psychologists are advised to avoid _____ dual relationships
S8: A
p 542
Harmful dual relationships
Sometimes dual relationships are unavoidable, e.g. rural communities
Which parts of the Code of Ethics provides guidance on dual relationships?
S8: A
p 543
Principle iii: Integrity in relationships
- do not exploit relationships established as a psychologists for personal, political, business gain
- avoid multiple/dual relationships
Integrity helps us to avoid being lustful, greedy, vain, etc (using relationship for wrong reasons)
Speak to the ethical conflict with allowing a client barter for service (provide something other than the professional fee in payment) (dual relationships)
S8: A
p 544
- can be problematic because you may then become that client’s employer (e.g. if client offers carpentry services in exchange for psychotherapy) –> power imbalance
- can easily lead to feelings of betrayal if either party becomes unhappy with arrangement
Speak to the ethical conflict with giving and receiving gifts (dual relationships)
S8: A
p 544
- may change the role expectations of the professional relationship
You give a gift: client may feel pressured to reciprocare to avoid getting inferior care
Client gives gift: you may feel need to reciprocate by giving “special care”
- be sensitive to cultural nuances here
Speak to the ethical conflicts that may arise in rural practice (dual relationships)
S8: A
p 545
urban psychologists - much less likely to have challenges with dual relationships
rural - turning away clients can result in financial hardship for you and can be harmful to client (limited access to service)
Must weight potential harm of turning client away against potential harm arising out of dual relationship
Recommended: rural psychologists develop generous capacity for tolerating ambiguity in relationships, use good consent forms, and lean towards providing brief/less intense services where appropriate
Speak to the ethical conflicts that may arise in providing forensic services (dual relationships)
S8: A
p 545
The LEGAL system often becomes the client, not the person involves
Occurs when psychologists are asked to provide consultations on child custody cases, parole decisions, etc
Speak to the ethical conflicts that may arise in providing teaching and supervision (dual relationships)
S8: A
p 546
Professors-student relationships can be complex dual relationships, can have risk for exploitation due to power imbalance in relationship (2 - 15 % of students have engaged in sexual relationships with professors, decreasing)
Supervision can be complex with facilitator/supporter role conflicts with evaluative role
What are some of the ways you can deter your client from thinking you are open to a sexual relationship?
S8: A
p 550
- clarify cultural norms around personal space, etc
- do not ask about client’s sexual history unless it is directly relevant to the case
- respond with brief “thank you” to compliments, move on and do not reciprocate
- do not answer questions about your own sexuality
What factors should you consider when deciding if you should or shouldn’t accept a client’s gift?
S8: C
- the monetary value (no no to lavish gifts)
- what the clinical implications might be if accepting/declining
- when in the therapy process were you offered the gift (much more damaging/risky at beginning)
- what are YOUR motivations for acceping/declining gift
- are there relevant cultural implications
When might it be okay to accept a gift from a client?
S8:C
p 563
- small, inexpensive
- culturally appropriate
- at the end of therapy
T or F: Touching clients should generally be avoided
S8: C
p. 565
False: nonerotic touching is often appropriate and can have significant therapeutic value; of course - do with discretion depending on client and nature of relationships
Compare and contrast boundary cross vs boundary violation
S8: E
p. 573
Boundary crossing: departure from common practice that could potentially benefit the client (e.g. pat on shoulder)
Boundary violation: serious breach that results in harm to client; unethical e.g. sex with client
What the the phrase “avoid the slippery slope” mean and why is it important?
S8: E
p. 573
A gradual erosion of boundaries that can lead to problematic multiple relationships that bring harm to clients
–> happens when boundaries are poorly defined and when therapists allow role to blend
Important because one or two sloppy boundaries can lead to progressive deterioration of boundaries, causing harm to client
How does one “avoid the slippery slope”? (2 ways)
S8: E
p. 573
- Have a therapeutic rationale for crossing the boundary
2. Question behaviors that are inconsistent with theoretical approach/code of ethics
What are some questions you could ask yourself if you are having difficulty maintaining appropriate boundaries with your client?
S8: F
p.577
- IS THIS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY CLIENT?
- who’s needs are being served
- will this impact my quality of service
- how would the client’s family view this?
- how would a colleague view this?
- am i treating this client differently from other clients?
- does this client mean something ‘special’ to me?
- can I put this in my client’s file
List a few reasons why sexual multiple relationships should be avoided? (impact on client)
S8: H
p.582
Oberlander and Barnett
Abuse of trust
Misuse of power
Harm
Exploitation
What are some of the ‘slipppery slope boundaries’?
(one should be conscious of how they interact with client’s on these factors to avoid ethical violations)
S8: H
p.583
Oberlander and Barnett
role time space touch self-disclosure gifts physical contact
Why are nonsexual multiple relationships acceptable between faculty and students?
S8: H
p.584
Because this allows faculty to serve as guides role models teachers sponsors helps student access opportunities for career and P.D
Describe the Decision Making Model for Graduate Assistants (dual relationships)
S8: H
p.587
- Is the dual relationship NECESSARY
- Is the dual relationships EXPLOITATIVE
- Who does the dual relationships BENEFIT
- Is there RISK that dual relationship could HARM STUDENT
- Could dual relationship DISRUPT EDUCATIONAL relationship
- Is evaluation of dual relationships OBJECTIVE
- Have you DOCUMENTED decision-making process
- Did student give INFORMED CONSENT to risks of dual relationships
What are some strategies you can use to avoid dual relationships with students as a GA/TA/etc?
S8: H
p.590
- Recognize your position of power of students
- Recognize vulnerability of psych students (we’re all a bit nuts)
- Limit social contact with students; keep it professional
- Be aware of continuum of multiple relationships (not all are harmful)
- Be aware of resources of report sexual harassment
- Consult
- Be vigilant of emotional distress such as isolation (in self and others)
- Acknowledge power/responsibility of having a faculty role
- Develop process for evaluating student-faculty relationships
- Foster climate for ethical relationships
