Malcolm Rivera
In psychotherapy, a dual relationship occurs when a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client outside of the traditional client-therapist dynamic. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are aware of their influential positions and strive to avoid exploiting their clients' trust and dependency. MFTs in Wisconsin are licensed by the Marriage and Family Therapy section of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. This raises the question: What constitutes a dual relationship for MFTs in Wisconsin, and how can they navigate these complex dynamics while upholding ethical standards?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Relationship | Social dual relationship: The therapist is also a friend. |
| Professional dual relationship: The therapist doubles as a work colleague or collaborator. | |
| Nature of Relationship | Voluntary, coincidental, or unavoidable. |
| Risk Level | High if the therapist-client relationship is current and active. |
| Low if the therapist-client relationship has ended. | |
| Ethical Guidelines | Unethical if it exploits the client or has long-term negative consequences for them. |
| Not unethical if it would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm. | |
| Precautions | Discuss the risks with the client and plan for how to handle issues that may arise. |
| Set clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. |
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What You'll Learn
Dual relationships are unethical and should be avoided
Dual relationships are considered unethical because they can exploit clients or have long-term negative consequences for them. For example, a therapist might misuse their power and influence to exploit clients for their own benefit. This can happen even if the therapist has good intentions, as it can be difficult to maintain objectivity and professionalism when there is a dual relationship. Additionally, dual relationships can impair the therapist's ability to provide effective treatment, as the therapist may be unable to maintain the necessary level of detachment and neutrality.
The Social Work Dictionary defines a dual relationship as "the unethical practice of assuming a second role with the client, in addition to professional helper". The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) Code of Ethics (2011) acknowledges that "not all dual relationships are unethical, and some multiple relationships cannot be avoided". However, it is important for therapists to be aware of the potential risks and to avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of their clients.
To avoid dual relationships, therapists should maintain clear boundaries with their clients. This includes not borrowing money from a client, hiring a client, engaging in a business venture with a client, or having a close personal relationship with a client. Therapists should also be cautious when interacting with a client's spouse, partner, or family member, as these relationships can also be considered unethical dual relationships. In most cases, it is best to avoid dual relationships altogether, as they can be complex and challenging to navigate.
While it may not always be possible to avoid dual relationships, therapists should make every effort to do so. By maintaining clear boundaries and prioritizing the well-being of their clients, therapists can help ensure that the therapeutic process is effective and ethical. When in doubt, therapists should err on the side of caution and seek guidance from professional organizations or ethics committees.
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Dual relationships can be social or professional
Dual relationships, also known as multiple relationships, refer to situations in psychotherapy where a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client outside of the traditional client-therapist dynamic. This can occur in both social and professional contexts and can have ethical implications.
Social Dual Relationships
Social dual relationships occur when a therapist is also a friend of the client or has a close personal relationship with the client's immediate family. For example, a therapist may discover that a person seeking treatment is their neighbour or someone they regularly encounter in social settings outside of their practice, such as a bowling league or a country club. These relationships can be coincidental and unavoidable in small communities. However, they can raise ethical concerns as they may lead to a misuse of power and influence, potentially exploiting clients for the therapist's benefit.
Professional Dual Relationships
Professional dual relationships arise when a therapist has a work-related connection to their client beyond the therapeutic relationship. This could include situations where the therapist and client are colleagues or collaborators in a professional capacity. For instance, a therapist may borrow money from a client, creating a dual relationship with financial implications. Professional dual relationships can also be mandated by law, such as in the case of military psychologists who have dual roles as commissioned officers and clinicians.
It is important to note that not all dual relationships are inherently unethical or problematic. Certain professional organisations acknowledge that some multiple relationships are unavoidable and can even be beneficial in certain contexts. However, therapists are generally advised to avoid dual relationships whenever possible to maintain healthy boundaries and protect clients from potential harm or exploitation. When dual relationships arise, therapists should carefully follow ethical guidelines and take appropriate precautions to mitigate risks and ensure the well-being of their clients.
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Dual relationships can be voluntary, coincidental, or unavoidable
Dual relationships, also known as multiple relationships, refer to situations in which a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client outside of the traditional client-therapist bond. For instance, a therapist may be a client's neighbour, employee, or business associate. Dual relationships can be voluntary, coincidental, or unavoidable.
Voluntary dual relationships may occur when a therapist chooses to enter into a second relationship with a client. For example, a therapist may decide to purchase a piece of artwork from a client who is an artist. While this may not necessarily be unethical, it is important for therapists to carefully consider the potential risks and maintain healthy boundaries to avoid exploiting the client or impairing their professional judgment.
Coincidental dual relationships can happen by chance or due to circumstances beyond the therapist's control. For instance, a therapist and client may live in the same small community and frequent the same stores, bowling league, or country club. While these relationships may be unavoidable, therapists should still be mindful of potential risks and maintain appropriate boundaries.
Unavoidable dual relationships refer to situations where a dual relationship is mandated by law or circumstances. For example, military psychologists may have conflicting responsibilities to enhance combat readiness and treat soldiers with PTSD. Similarly, therapists working in prisons may have dual roles as prison guards or reporting to prison wardens, which can complicate the therapeutic relationship and lead to a loss of trust.
It is important to note that not all dual relationships are inherently unethical or problematic. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics of 2010, "multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical". However, therapists should generally make every effort to avoid dual relationships and prioritize protecting their clients and maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries.
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Dual relationships may impair professional judgement
Dual relationships, also known as multiple relationships, refer to situations in which a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client outside of the traditional client-therapist dynamic. This could include social relationships, such as being friends or neighbours, or professional relationships, such as being work colleagues.
While some dual relationships may be unavoidable, therapists are generally advised to avoid them whenever possible, as they can impair professional judgement and increase the risk of exploitation. This is especially true when the therapist-client relationship is current and active. Even if the relationship is well-intentioned, the therapist's professional judgement may become impaired, leading to unintended negative consequences for the client. For example, a therapist may unintentionally favour a client who is also a friend or family member, or they may struggle to maintain objectivity due to their personal connection.
In some cases, dual relationships can create a power imbalance where the therapist may misuse their power and influence to exploit the client for their own benefit. This could include borrowing money from the client or pursuing romantic or sexual relationships, which are considered unethical and harmful to the client.
To maintain ethical boundaries, therapists should be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions. This may include consulting with colleagues, seeking guidance from ethical frameworks, and documenting the precautions taken. While not all dual relationships are inherently problematic, the potential for impairment or exploitation exists, and therapists must carefully assess and manage these risks to protect their clients.
In summary, dual relationships can impair professional judgement by introducing biases, blurring boundaries, and creating power imbalances. Therapists must be vigilant in recognising and managing these relationships to ensure the well-being and best interests of their clients are always prioritised.
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Dual relationships may increase the risk of client exploitation
Dual relationships, also known as multiple relationships, occur when a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client outside of the traditional client-therapist bond. For example, a therapist may be the client's neighbour, employee, or business associate. While some dual relationships are unavoidable, they can increase the risk of client exploitation and are therefore unethical and frowned upon.
The Social Work Dictionary defines exploitation in dual relationships as "the unethical practice of assuming a second role with the client, in addition to professional helper...Dual relationships tend to exploit clients or have long-term negative consequences for them". Exploitation can include making use of the client unfairly for one's own advantage. For example, a therapist might misuse their power and influence to exploit clients for their benefit. This could involve borrowing money from a client or prioritising the therapist's needs over the client's.
Dual relationships can also impair a therapist's professional judgment. For example, a therapist's judgment may be impaired if they are also the client's friend or family member. In such cases, the therapist may struggle to maintain objectivity and act in the client's best interest.
To avoid dual relationships and the risk of exploitation, therapists should maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with their clients. This includes being mindful of the potential for dual relationships to develop and taking steps to prevent them from occurring. For example, a therapist should not offer their client an internship at their extended family's restaurant, as this would create a dual relationship and increase the risk of exploitation.
When dual relationships are unavoidable, therapists should take steps to protect their clients and maintain appropriate boundaries. This may include consulting with colleagues, ethics experts, and legal professionals to ensure they are acting in the best interests of the client and following ethical guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
A dual relationship occurs when a therapist has a second, significantly different relationship with their client in addition to the traditional client-therapist bond. For example, a therapist may be the client's neighbour, or they may be in the same bowling league.
Dual relationships are considered unethical as they may impair a therapist's professional judgement or increase the risk of exploitation.
Marriage and family therapists in Wisconsin are licensed by the marriage and family therapy section of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. They are expected to avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair professional judgement or increase the risk of exploitation. This includes business or close personal relationships with a client or the client's immediate family.
