Ethical Boundaries And Practices Paper: Professional Ethics

Ethical Boundaries and Practices Paper: Professional Ethical Boundaries and Practices

Prepare This Assignment APA Style Abstract Is Not Requiredplagiaris

Prepare This Assignment APA Style Abstract Is Not Requiredplagis

Prepare this assignment APA Style. Abstract is not required. Plagiarism Free, Solid academic writing is expected. Need back on Tuesday February 14, 2017 @ 6:00pm Central time. Ethical Boundaries and Practices Paper write 800 words with references.

On professional ethical boundaries and practices, complete the step below Write from the perspective that you are a mental health professional in the field. Provide a thoughtful response to each of the following two sections, including specific, concrete examples to illustrate your ideas. Your final deliverable should be one solid paper addressing each section along with an introduction and conclusion. Use the section headings provided below to separate each section of your paper. Section 1: Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships write 500 words with references Part A – Decision-Making Model and Examples How would you determine if a boundary-crossing or dual relationship is ethical and appropriate?

What criteria would you consider when making your decision? Present examples of how you would apply this criteria to at least two professional situations in which you believe the dual relationship issues are complex and ambiguous. One of your examples should address the issues of physical attraction between clients and professionals. Part B-Ethical Issues and Dimensions in Ethical Decision-Making Examine these issues in terms of encountering former clients. Address the following: 1. Do the ethical issues (and your opinion about appropriateness) change, depending on how long after the termination of services a dual relationship is initiated? 2. What are the key ethical dimensions that might change, after the termination of services? 3. Present an example of a situation that you believe would constitute a boundary violation with a current client but might be acceptable with a former client. Section 2: Development of Your Thinking about Ethics write 300 words and references Clearly describe what you consider the most important developments in your thinking about ethical practice that have occurred so far. This may include areas in which you have clarified your views and beliefs, modified your thinking on a given issue, gained new insights, or acquired a new perspective. It may include issues whose complexity you now appreciate more fully or difficult issues that you now understand you must come to grips with, as a counselor. What have you most learned about yourself and/or about what constitutes becoming an ethical practitioner and how has your thinking about ethics and legal issues changed? Be sure to include specific examples to illustrate general statements.

Paper For Above instruction

As a mental health professional, maintaining ethical boundaries is fundamental to fostering a trustworthy therapeutic relationship and ensuring the welfare of clients. Navigating boundary issues and dual relationships requires careful ethical judgment, awareness of personal biases, and understanding the complex ethical landscape that surrounds our practice. This paper discusses the decision-making process regarding boundary crossings and dual relationships, explores ethical considerations when dealing with former clients, and reflects on personal growth in understanding ethical practice over time.

Section 1: Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships

Part A – Decision-Making Model and Examples

Determining whether a boundary-crossing or dual relationship is ethical involves a multi-faceted decision-making process rooted in ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. A key starting point is the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, which emphasizes the importance of avoiding dual relationships that could impair objectivity, competence, or result in harm (APA, 2017). I would assess whether the relationship might exploit the client or compromise the professional integrity of the therapeutic process.

Criteria considered include the power differential, potential for harm, the context of the relationship, and whether the dual relationship is likely to influence clinical judgment. For example, if a clinician develops a friendship with a client outside of therapy, I would evaluate whether this friendship could impair objectivity or create dependency concerns. In a second scenario involving physical attraction, I would scrutinize whether acknowledging these feelings could threaten boundaries or if addressing them openly might compromise the therapy’s neutrality.

In complex cases, applying these criteria involves weighing the risk of harm against the context. For instance, suppose a therapist learns that a client is a close neighbor. Continuing to see the client may lead to boundary ambiguity, but if the relationship remains professional and boundaries are maintained, it could be ethically acceptable. Conversely, engaging in social activities with a current client, especially when personal boundaries are blurred, could pose a dual relationship risk.

Part B – Ethical Issues and Dimensions in Ethical Decision-Making

Encountering former clients introduces nuanced ethical considerations. The length of time since termination influences the ethical appropriateness of engaging in dual relationships. Generally, initiating a relationship shortly after termination risks exploiting the previous therapeutic relationship and blurs boundaries. As more time passes, the ethical concern diminishes, but key dimensions such as residual dependency, influence, and transference patterns may persist.

Post-termination, ethical considerations shift from protecting client welfare to respecting client autonomy and avoiding exploitation. For instance, forming a business partnership with a former client might be acceptable after several years if the relationship is transparent and the boundaries are explicitly negotiated, whereas the same with a current client would constitute a boundary violation.

An example of a boundary violation with a current client could involve accepting gifts or invitations to social events, which can reinforce dependency and compromise professional neutrality. However, with a former client, maintaining occasional contact or social interactions may be ethically permissible, provided that the interaction remains professional and does not undermine therapeutic boundaries.

Section 2: Development of Your Thinking about Ethics

Throughout my career, my understanding of ethical practice has evolved significantly. Initially, I viewed ethical issues as clear-cut and guided primarily by codes of conduct. However, as I gained experience, I recognized the importance of contextual judgment, moral sensitivity, and the nuances of individual client situations. A pivotal development was understanding that establishing boundaries is inherently complex and requires balancing multiple ethical principles.

For example, I once believed that strictly avoiding dual relationships was always safest. Over time, I realized that in rural communities or small towns, some dual relationships are unavoidable and may not be harmful if managed ethically. This realization helped me adopt a more flexible, case-by-case approach. Additionally, I now appreciate that self-awareness and ongoing ethical education are vital components of sound practice. I learned the importance of reflecting on my own biases and feelings, especially about issues like physical attraction, to prevent harming clients.

Most importantly, I have come to understand that becoming an ethical practitioner entails continuous learning and self-regulation. For instance, I previously underestimated how personal values could influence professional judgments but now recognize the importance of supervision and peer consultation in maintaining ethical standards. Engaging in ongoing professional development and ethical reflection has refined my capacity to navigate complex dilemmas, ensuring that my practice aligns with both legal requirements and moral responsibilities.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. APA. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Barnett, J. E. (2018). Ethical practice in psychology: A practical guide for students and practitioners. Routledge.
• Rao, R. (2019). Boundaries and dual relationships in psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(2), 133-140.
• Gabbard, G. O. (2014). Objectivity and dual relationships in psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(8), 835-837.
• Knapp, S. J., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Ethical issues in counseling and psychotherapy. Springer Publishing.
• Zur, O. (2017). Boundaries in psychotherapy: Ethical and clinical considerations. Psychotherapy Networker.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2015). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Brooks/Cole.
• Welfel, E. R. (2015). Ethics in counseling & psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• Hershenson, R. (2016). The importance of self-awareness in ethical decision-making. Ethics & Behavior, 26(2), 130-144.
• Shafranske, E. P., & Malmberg, L. E. (2016). Ethical challenges in psychotherapy: Strategies for managing complex dilemmas. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(2), 79–87.