Examine Professional Behavior That Is Congruent With Values

Examine Professional Behavior That Is Congruent With The Values And Et

Examine professional behavior that is congruent with the values and ethics of the human services profession. In this assignment, you will apply the information you have learned regarding boundaries and dual relationships to the analysis of a real-life scenario.

Assignment Scenario: Ms. Cheney was a case manager at an outpatient clinic providing various services. One of her clients was Ms. Rosalind, who received services due to a recent divorce. Ms. Cheney had also experienced a divorce in her past and thought she had effectively dealt with that experience but found herself identifying with many comments made by Ms. Rosalind. The two women realized they shared many common interests through their work together.

They often found themselves discussing these shared interests in their time together and eventually began meeting for coffee after their sessions. Ms. Rosalind soon suggested they begin spending additional time together socially, and Ms. Cheney agreed. Before long, they became fast friends, spending significant social time together on evenings and weekends, visiting clubs, going to movies, or visiting local restaurants.

After several months, the two had a falling out about a gentleman both women favored. Ms. Rosalind filed a complaint with the regulatory agency in her state about the relationship. Please be sure to address all of the following in your assignment: Introduce the case study and analyze the implications of the events in the scenario. Investigate the harmful effects of such a relationship on all parties involved: Ms. Rosalind, the helping relationship, and Ms. Cheney. Discuss both the social and emotional impacts of such a relationship as well as their effects on the treatment relationship. Use specific examples. Discuss the likely outcome of Ms. Rosalind’s complaint if it was filed in your state. Analyze strategies to minimize the likelihood of such a relationship arising in your practice. Please review and follow the assignment requirements in the next tab titled Assignment Details.

Paper For Above instruction

The case involving Ms. Cheney and Ms. Rosalind illustrates a critical ethical dilemma faced by human services professionals: maintaining professional boundaries to preserve the integrity of the helping relationship. The scenario underscores the importance of understanding and adhering to ethical standards that govern professional conduct, particularly concerning dual relationships, which occur when a helper assumes multiple roles with a client, potentially impairing objectivity and professionalism (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2018).

Introduction and Analysis of the Scenario

Ms. Cheney’s development of a close personal relationship with her client, Ms. Rosalind, exemplifies a boundary violation that jeopardizes ethical practice. Human services professionals are ethically mandated to establish and maintain clear boundaries to ensure the client’s welfare and avoid exploitation or harm (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). The progression from professional interactions to social engagements—such as meeting for coffee, attending social outings, and forming friendships—compromises the objectivity needed in the helping relationship. Such dual relationships can blur the lines between personal and professional roles, raising concerns about conflicts of interest, boundary crossing, and potential exploitation (Barnett & Johnson, 2019).

The implications of these events are profound. For Ms. Rosalind, engaging in a social relationship with Ms. Cheney could undermine her trust in the helping process, cause emotional confusion, or lead to feelings of betrayal if the boundary violations are discovered or disclosed. For Ms. Cheney, the blurred boundaries could impair her professional judgment, open her to disciplinary action, or diminish her effectiveness as a helper. The professional relationship’s integrity is compromised, risking harm to the client and diminishing the perceived credibility of the human services field (Gerstein & Trivette, 2019).

Harmful Effects of the Dual Relationship

The social and emotional impacts of such dual relationships are significant. Ms. Rosalind may experience feelings of obligation or dependence, confusion about the boundary between help and friendship, and emotional distress when conflicts arise—as seen when she and Ms. Cheney had a falling out over a romantic rival. These conditions can hinder her progress and potentially retraumatize her regarding her recent divorce (Knapp & VandeCreek, 2012).

For Ms. Cheney, engaging socially with her client diminishes her capacity to maintain neutrality, leading to potential bias or favoritism. This can impair her clinical objectivity and influence her decision-making, possibly resulting in ethical violations or compromised care (Remley & Herlihy, 2019). Moreover, the breach of professional boundaries can lead to legal repercussions and damage to her reputation.

The therapeutic relationship relies heavily on trust and professionalism. When boundaries are crossed, this trust erodes, affecting the client’s willingness to participate openly. Specific examples include Ms. Rosalind’s feeling of betrayal after the falling out and her decision to fi les a complaint, which may be rooted in perceived betrayal or boundary violations by Ms. Cheney.

Social and Emotional Impact & Effects on Treatment

At a social level, boundary crossings foster an unhealthy dependence, where the client may seek social validation or approval from the therapist, diluting the professional role. Emotionally, both parties face increased vulnerability; Ms. Rosalind might feel exploited or betrayed, while Ms. Cheney may struggle with guilt or shame. These emotional states compromise the therapist’s capacity to provide unbiased care (Barnett & Johnson, 2019).

From a treatment perspective, the therapeutic alliance becomes compromised. The client might feel uncomfortable or confused about their relationship with the therapist, which hampers effective intervention. The boundary violations can also lead to decreased motivation, loss of trust, and eventual termination of therapy, preventing meaningful progress (Gaubatz & Peery, 2014).

Likely Outcomes of Ms. Rosalind’s Complaint

If Ms. Rosalind’s complaint is filed in a state with strict enforcement of ethical standards, such as mandatory reporting and professional codes (e.g., ACA, NASW), the outcome is likely to favor disciplinary action against Ms. Cheney. Regulatory agencies typically scrutinize violations involving dual relationships, especially when they lead to harm or perceived harm (Remley & Herlihy, 2019). Consequences could include suspension, revocation of licensure, mandated ethics training, or other sanctions designed to uphold professional standards (American Counseling Association, 2014).

Strategies to Prevent Dual Relationships

To minimize the development of dual relationships in practice, human services professionals should adhere to proactive boundary-setting strategies. Regular training and continuing education programs emphasize the importance of maintaining clear boundaries and understanding ethical frameworks (Sullivan & Decker, 2020). Implementing policies such as avoiding social interactions outside of professional settings, establishing explicit boundaries early in the helping relationship, and seeking supervision or peer consultation when uncertainties arise are essential. Additionally, setting and communicating clear limits at the outset of treatment helps both parties maintain a professional veneer and reduces the risk of boundary crossings (Barnett & Johnson, 2019).

In cases where boundary violations do occur, swift and transparent corrective action—such as consultation, termination, or referral—is necessary. Ethical decision-making models, like the ethical principles outlined by the ACA, serve as guides to navigate complex situations, ensuring that client welfare remains paramount (Corey et al., 2018).

Conclusion

The scenario involving Ms. Cheney and Ms. Rosalind underscores the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries in human services practice. Dual relationships threaten the integrity of the helping process and can cause significant harm to clients. Practitioners must remain vigilant, continuously educate themselves on ethical standards, and employ strategies to prevent boundary crossings. Upholding professional values and ethics not only protects clients but also preserves the credibility and effectiveness of the human services profession.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• Barnett, J. E., & Johnson, W. B. (2019). Ethics desk reference for counselors. American Counseling Association.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2018). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Gaubatz, M., & Peery, A. (2014). Boundary issues in counseling: Ethical and clinical considerations. Journal of Human Services, 34(2), 23–29.
• Gerstein, L. H., & Trivette, C. M. (2019). Ethical dilemmas and boundary issues in human services. Springer.
• Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Improving clinical supervision (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2019). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Sullivan, M., & Decker, K. (2020). Maintaining boundaries in mental health practice. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 17(1), 25–36.