Review The Summers Text Pp. 136–138: Use In-Text Citations

Review The Summers Text Pp 136138 Use In Text Citations And Refer

Review the Summers text, pages 136–138. (Use in-text citations and references). Choose two hypothetical practice situations under “Blurred Boundaries” and respond with your two chosen situations. Identify what went wrong with the worker-client boundaries and what needs to happen to correct the situation. Imagine that the client was from a culture, background, ethnicity, or country very different from your own. Reflect on how you might respond differently. Post the number associated with your chosen situation and a brief description.

Then answer the following questions: what went wrong with the worker-client boundaries? How might you respond differently (if at all) if the client was from a culture, background, ethnicity, or country very different from your own? Be specific and support your conclusions by citing the course resources and at least one peer-reviewed resource (e.g., journal article, professional organization website, etc.). Resources include: Summers, N. (2016). Fundamentals of case management practice: Skills for the human services (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Chapters 2, 4, and 5 (pp. 33–76, 95–115, 117–138).

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of human services, maintaining professional boundaries is essential for ethical practice and effective client engagement. Summers (2016) emphasizes that boundaries safeguard both the client and the practitioner by establishing clear roles and expectations, thereby preventing over-involvement or under-involvement that could hinder the therapeutic process. However, boundary issues can occur, especially in situations involving cultural differences, which may lead to misunderstandings or ethical breaches (Summers, 2016, p. 117).

Chosen Situations and Analysis

Situation 1: The worker begins sharing personal details about their family life during a session, blurring the lines between professional and personal boundaries. This shift might be intended to build rapport but can lead to favoritism or reduce the client's perception of professional boundaries.

What Went Wrong: The worker's over-disclosure undermines the professionalism of the relationship, compromising objectivity and potentially influencing the client's responses. Summers (2016) highlights the importance of maintaining boundaries to uphold ethical standards and protect both parties (p. 119).

Correction: The worker should re-establish professional boundaries by redirecting the conversation and focusing on the client's needs, avoiding personal disclosures that are not relevant to the therapeutic goals.

Culture Consideration: If the client belongs to a culture that values familial sharing and emotional openness, the worker might respond differently by gracefully engaging with these cultural norms while still maintaining boundaries. For example, they could acknowledge cultural expressions but gently steer the focus back to the client's concerns (Sue et al., 2009).

Situation 2: The worker and the client exchange contact information outside of scheduled sessions, such as social media or personal phone numbers, without clear agreement or purpose.

What Went Wrong: This act breaches professional boundaries and can lead to dual relationships, which may impair objectivity and raise ethical concerns (Summers, 2016, p. 122).

Correction: The worker should specify boundaries regarding communication channels in the initial sessions and adhere strictly to these boundaries, documenting any necessary exceptions.

Culture Consideration: For clients from cultures where social connection beyond formal sessions is customary, the worker might respond with cultural sensitivity by explaining the professional boundaries clearly and exploring culturally appropriate ways to maintain connection, perhaps through community resources or culturally specific communication methods (Kirmayer & Banerjee, 2013).

Implications for Cultural Competence

Cultural competence is vital when addressing boundary issues in diverse populations. Summers (2016) underscores the importance of understanding cultural norms that affect perceptions of boundaries, such as the importance of community and familial ties. Practitioners need to be aware of these norms to prevent misinterpretation of their intentions and to adapt boundaries respectfully (Chapter 4, pp. 95–115).

In cases where clients come from cultures with different communication styles, such as more collective or relational orientations, practitioners should approach boundary setting with cultural humility and flexibility, balancing ethical standards with respect for cultural values (Tervalon & Murray-García, 1998).

Conclusion

Maintaining ethical boundaries is crucial for effective case management. When boundaries are blurred, it risks damaging the professional relationship and may cause harm, especially if cultural differences are not acknowledged. By understanding cultural norms, practicing self-awareness, and engaging in ongoing cultural competence training, practitioners can navigate boundary issues more effectively and ethically (Sue et al., 2009; Kirmayer & Banerjee, 2013).

References

• Kirmayer, L. J., & Banerjee, M. R. (2013). Rethinking the cultural competence concept: An alternative approach. Transcultural Psychiatry, 50(2), 327–353.
• Kirmayer, L. J., et al. (2011). The cultural competence movement in health care: A critical review. Academic Medicine, 86(6), 720–728.
• Summers, N. (2016). Fundamentals of case management practice: Skills for the human services (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
• Sue, D. W., et al. (2009). Multicultural competence revisited: The importance of cultural humility. American Psychologist, 64(1), 77–86.
• Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117–125.