Setting Boundaries When Working With Clients And Social Netw

Setting Boundaries When Working With Clientssocial Networking Sites H

Social networking sites have become instruments of human interactions but can result in ethical dilemmas for the psychologist when working with clients, mainly when the delivery of the therapeutic service is governed by principles and code of conduct regarding such practices and behavior. Aside from the information that social media websites can provide about the client, online searches can provide the therapist with similar details that present the same ethical dilemmas (Taylor, McMinn, Bufford, & Chang, 2010). Also, the access to the profile can reveal records that can influence the decision of the therapist counselor regarding the methods and interventions.

However, the implication of the use of technology when working with clients present several professional concerns that the principles and code of conduct that guides the actions of the therapist have yet to address (Harris & Robinson Kurpius, 2014). Therefore, the analysis of the events in the case study involving Dr. Arnold's decision to conduct an online search would illustrate some of the issues that can create an ethical dilemma for the therapist and approaches that can be utilized for the prevention of these decision-making challenges. In the case scenario, Dr. Arnold's decision to conduct an online search of the teenager was due to her concern regarding the behavioral problems that client had displayed and warranted the consultation that the therapist provided to the juvenile court system.

As an individual that was accused of the use of cyberstalking for his angry outburst and destructive behavior, the decision of the counselor, in this case, to conduct the online search was based on a genuine concern for her safety. For example, the client can use her details to perform a similar search of the personal information and use its acquisition to decide to harm the therapist. However, the principles and code of conduct of the American Psychologist Association regarding human interactions set boundaries that the therapist must observe to prevent her from violating its ethics. According to APA (2002), Section 3.10 of the guideline on informed consent mandates the psychologist to obtain informed consent from the client before conducting research or provide assessment, therapy, counseling, or consulting services through electronic means.

The analysis of this section of the principles for psychologists and code of conduct showed that first ethical issue is that Dr. Arnold is obligated to obtain an informed consent from the patient to conduct this type of research on this personality and behavior through the Internet (APA, 2002). It is one of the mandatory requirements of the profession that the psychologist must fulfill to avoid misconduct and its associated liabilities. For example, the informed consent form serves as the instrument to achieve this goal through the approval of the client. Privacy is the second ethical issue that would likely arise from the decision of the therapist in the scenario to search for the client's details online since it might reveal information that the client might be unwilling to share with the therapist (Harrison et al., 2014).

Although the service of Dr. Arnold was part of the proceedings in the juvenile court system, her actions are covered by the principles and the code of conduct on the role of informed consent during research for intervention. Meanwhile, the evaluation of the actions of Dr. Arnold showed that the ethical violations can be prevented through evidence-based professional practices including the issuance of informed consent to the client (APA, 2002). In this context, the therapist would need to seek approval from either the court or the client through his parent, guardian, or attorney before conducting future online searches on the client.

According to Harris and Robinson Kurpius (2014), the therapist is obligated to document the searches that have conducted without the consent of the client and inform the relevant authorities before proceeding to participant in the case. They further add that despite the justifications of the therapist for her actions, these steps are essential to prevent the ethical issues such as the bias towards the teenage client during clinical decision, which is also an example of harm to the patient. Therefore, the therapist is expected to discontinue the online search of the client's details, document the current ones, and report the activity to relevant authorities before seeking informed consent to the continue the research on the teenager.

Furthermore, the assessment of the actions of the therapist in the case scenario showed that she exceeded the boundaries of her interactions with the client when she failed to obtain informed consent before conducting the research. Asay and Lal (2014) stated that the discovery of information from the social media profile of the client could have a significant impact on the therapeutic relationship between the individuals since the information on these sites are expected to be part of the assessment process. For example, the discovery of the methods that the teenager uses in engaging in his destructive behavior and aggression towards others can adversely impact the objective evaluation of the factors that are responsible for them during the performance of the consultancy service (Taylor et al., 2010).

Therefore, the most appropriate steps that can be taken by Dr. Arnold in the future to prevent this ethical violation is the acquisition of the client's approval for searching his online profiles on social networking sites through the search engines. In conclusion, it is recommended that the therapist in the scenario implements a social networking policy that would explain the need for conducting an online search on the client before the beginning of the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Arnold can distribute this social media policy online to all the clients that access her services and use a platform to encourage them to ask questions before the commencement of the assessment and administration of the intervention.

Finally, the social media policy can serve as the instrument for eliminating the ethical issues that might arise from informed consent and compromise of the client's privacy and confidentiality. References American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57(12), . Asay, P. A., & Lal, A. (2014). Who’s Googled whom? Trainees’ Internet and online social networking experiences, behaviors, and attitudes with clients and supervisors. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(2), 105. Harris, S. E., & Robinson Kurpius, S. E. (2014). Social networking and professional ethics: Client searches, informed consent, and disclosure. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(1), 11. Taylor, L., McMinn, M. R., Bufford, R. K., & Chang, K. B. (2010). Psychologists’ attitudes and ethical concerns regarding the use of social networking web sites. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(2), 153.

Paper For Above instruction

Setting boundaries when working with clients on social networking sites is a critical ethical concern in contemporary psychology practice. The advent of social media has expanded opportunities for therapists to gain insights into their clients' lives; however, it also introduces significant ethical dilemmas related to privacy, informed consent, and professional boundaries. This paper explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of social networking sites by mental health professionals, exemplified through a case scenario involving Dr. Arnold, and discusses best practices to navigate these challenges within existing professional guidelines.

Social media provides a window into clients' personal lives, but the information obtained can be superficial, misleading, or ethically intrusive. Psychologists must balance the benefits of gathering contextual information with respecting client privacy and autonomy. The American Psychological Association's (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002) emphasizes the importance of obtaining informed consent before conducting assessments or interventions. Specifically, Section 3.10 mandates that psychologists secure explicit consent prior to electronic data collection, including online searches of clients’ profiles.

In the case scenario involving Dr. Arnold, her decision to perform an online search on a juvenile client was driven by concerns about the client’s behaviors and safety, particularly given allegations of cyberstalking and destructive tendencies. While such concerns may justify caution, ethically, the psychologist was required to obtain prior informed consent from the client or her guardian before accessing online information. Conducting searches without consent risks breaching the client’s privacy and damages the therapeutic relationship, potentially leading to harm or breach of confidentiality (Harrison et al., 2014).

The ethical concerns extend beyond consent. Privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to the therapeutic process. Even if the information is publicly available, it remains the client's personal data, and unconsented access may violate ethical standards (Harris & Robinson Kurpius, 2014). In Dr. Arnold’s case, the lack of consent and the unregulated nature of social media profiles could lead to biased clinical judgments, affecting the quality of care. Moreover, such actions could damage the trust between therapist and client, which is vital for effective therapy (Taylor et al., 2010).

To prevent such ethical violations, practitioners need clear protocols. One recommended approach is the development of a social networking policy that explicitly informs clients at the outset of therapy about the therapist's intention to review social media profiles and the conditions under which such reviews occur. This policy should be included as part of the informed consent process, ensuring transparency and voluntary participation (Asay & Lal, 2014). Such policies not only protect client rights but also establish clear boundaries for professional conduct.

In the broader context, regulators and professional organizations should update guidelines to address emerging digital realities. Currently, the APA’s Code of Ethics (2002) provides a foundational framework but leaves room for more detailed guidance on social media use. Researchers and practitioners advocate for policies that emphasize the importance of obtaining explicit consent, documenting online searches, and limiting access to publicly available information unless consented to by the client (Taylor et al., 2010; Harris & Robinson Kurpius, 2014).

In addition, ongoing training for clinicians on digital ethics is crucial. This training should include case analyses, legal considerations, and practical strategies for managing social media information ethically. Using evidence-based practices, such as documenting searches and consulting legal counsel or institutional review boards when necessary, can further mitigate ethical risks (Harrison et al., 2014).

In conclusion, while social networking sites offer valuable insights, psychologists must navigate their use within strict ethical boundaries. Respecting client autonomy, ensuring informed consent, and implementing clear policies are essential steps in maintaining professional integrity. By adhering to established ethical standards and continuously updating practices in response to technological advancements, mental health professionals can protect their clients’ rights and uphold the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

References

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