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