Response To Peers: Provide Feedback On A Viewpoint

In Response To Your Peers Provide Feedback On A Viewpoint That Differ

In response to your peers, provide feedback on a viewpoint that differs from yours. 1# I’m in total agreements with not blending friendships with clients. It is important to not mix the professional relationship with friendships as stated in APA codes of ethic for healthcare professionals. Though some counselors will develop special relationships with clients in which the have great compassion for, the overall importance of protecting your personal life from clients, to ensure that the Code Of Ethics are not crossed. When a client engage in a friendship with a counselor, the treatment serious, and not receive the benefit of counseling, and therapist may misuse their power, exploiting clients for self benefit.

Therefore, a therapist must maintain proper work decorum, keeping the relationship with clients professional. In addition, the success of treatment greatly depends on creating these boundaries to maximize the effectiveness for therapeutic approaches for treatment. In spite of the fact, blending friendships is not illegal, but seen as unethical, which may create a lot of problems for a counselor both professionally and personally, and affect the outcome for improvement in the client treatment. Becoming friends with clients can also result in disciplinary action by the organization in which you are employed, be seen as an ethical lapse, and a possible disservice for a clients success rate in session.

In addition, losing your credentials isn’t worth all the time and effort your put into your studies for the friendship with a client. Although, opening up to clients and given them a sense of comfortability, give client the courage to open up more to counselors, and view their counselor as a confidant, mixing business with pleasure is never good, and at some point cross the line of ethics and boundaries. What are your boundaries for clients and creating relationships? 2# Counselors should not be friends with their clients. Once this line is crossed the counselor/client relationship can never be the same.

Your client should only be sharing their issues and concerns, and once a counselor becomes a friend they also start sharing their own problems. A client can no longer focus on themselves exclusively. "Psychotherapy is by necessity an imbalanced relationship (Holmes L. Phd 2022) Being friends with a client creates a dual relationship and therefore does not allow the client to feel that the counselor is safe, and caring and wants to help you figure out your problems not their own. Question for class: What would you do if a client wanted to know about your personal life?

Paper For Above instruction

The debate surrounding the appropriate boundaries between therapists and clients is a longstanding and significant ethical issue within the field of mental health. Both perspectives emphasize the importance of maintaining strict professional boundaries to ensure effective treatment and uphold ethical standards. This paper will compare these viewpoints, highlight their alignment with established ethical guidelines, and discuss the implications for clinical practice.

One argument strongly advocates against the formation of friendships between therapists and clients, asserting that such relationships compromise the integrity of therapy. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, psychologists are required to establish boundaries that protect the client’s welfare and facilitate effective treatment (APA, 2017). When a therapist develops a friendship with a client, it introduces dual relationships that can impair objectivity, blur boundaries, and risk exploitation (Corey, 2021). Such relationships can lead to ethical violations, disciplinary actions, and damage to the therapist’s professional reputation. Moreover, blending personal and professional boundaries risks undermining the therapeutic alliance, which is essential for successful outcomes (Beutler & Harwood, 2020).

Additionally, maintaining professional boundaries helps preserve the client's trust and safety within therapy. When clients view their therapist as a neutral, trustworthy authority figure, they are more likely to disclose sensitive information and engage fully in treatment (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2016). Crossing this boundary by forming friendships diminishes the therapist’s perceived impartiality and can lead to dual roles—therapist and friend—that complicate the therapy process. This can result in a conflict of interest where the therapist’s personal feelings or relationships influence clinical judgment, potentially harming the client (Barnett & Molz, 2020). Academic literature emphasizes that maintaining clear boundaries is crucial in preventing boundary violations that could jeopardize licensure and professional reputation.

Conversely, some argue that in specific circumstances, developing a personal connection with clients can enhance therapeutic rapport, empathy, and client engagement. They suggest that a degree of familiarity can foster trust and facilitate openness, especially in long-term or culturally sensitive therapy (Norcross & Goldfried, 2020). However, even proponents acknowledge that such relationships should be navigated cautiously and within strict ethical limits. The consensus in clinical ethics is that friendships or dual relationships are generally inappropriate because they inherently introduce risks that can undermine the objectivity and effectiveness of therapy (Zur, 2017).

From an ethical standpoint, the risks associated with dual relationships, such as compromised professional judgment, boundary violations, and potential harm to clients, outweigh any alleged benefits of personal familiarity. Ethical codes, including the APA (2017) and the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), explicitly discourage dual relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit the vulnerable. Therapists are trained to prioritize their clients' welfare, which necessitates maintaining clear boundaries and avoiding situations where personal and professional roles conflict. Breaching these boundaries not only jeopardizes client well-being but also the therapist’s license and career.

Practically, establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries involves clear communication, consistent professionalism, and self-awareness. Therapists should set expectations early on about confidentiality, roles, and boundaries. When clients inquire about a therapist’s personal life, ethical guidelines advise redirecting the conversation to focus on the client’s concerns and avoiding disclosure of personal information unless it serves a therapeutic purpose and is within ethical boundaries (Barnett, 2018). This approach preserves the therapeutic environment and upholds the integrity of the professional relationship.

In conclusion, while some may argue that friendliness or personal connections can improve therapy, the overwhelming consensus in professional ethics advocates for maintaining strict boundaries. Dual relationships pose significant risks to the therapeutic process, client safety, and the therapist’s career. Therefore, therapists must prioritize professionalism, adhere to ethical standards, and focus on creating a safe, trusting environment solely centered on the client’s needs. Ensuring ethical compliance not only protects clients but also sustains the integrity and credibility of the mental health profession.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Barnett, J. E. (2018). Boundaries in Psychotherapy and Counseling: Multiple Relationships and Dual Relationships. Routledge.
• Barnett, J. E., & Molz, A. (2020). Ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy: Boundaries and dual relationships. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(4), 732–744.
• Corey, G. (2021). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• Holmes, L. PhD. (2022). The ethics of dual relationships in therapy. Therapist Magazine.
• Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, L. (2016). Ethics in Psychology and Psychiatry: The Right and the Good. Oxford University Press.
• Norcross, J. C., & Goldfried, M. R. (2020). Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration. Oxford University Press.
• Zürn, M. (2017). Ethical considerations in dual relationships. Psychology and Ethics Journal, 34(2), 145–155.