Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships

Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships

Introduction

Boundary crossing is the violation of the usual and deviation from the norms. Boundary crossing is an issue of significant concern in various professional fields, mainly when it entails the exploitation of clients. A dual relationship is a situation whereby there exist multiple associations between the clients and professionals besides the area of specialization. This relationship leads to questioning, especially when there is a conflict of interest between the clients and the professionals. This discussion thus aims at determining whether these practices are ethical and appropriate.

Boundary crossing and Dual relationship

Professionals must understand the need to maintain safe, professional boundaries with their clients (Baca, 2011). There is a need to draw clear cut lines between the vulnerability of clients and the authority of professionals. Specialists often take advantage of their clients’ lack of knowledge or personal relationships to get a chance for exploitation. These are unethical practices that are inappropriate. However, if the dual relationships develop to benefit both the professionals and their clients, they are morally accepted. The bonds are thus deemed appropriate. Strict codes of ethics must then come in handy when handling cases of dual ties, which lead to crossing the boundary. These codes help in making the right decisions when determining on arising ethical issues.

For instance, a dual relationship exists when a therapist adopts a child of their former client. The relationship is with a good cause, and it is morally acceptable. This is ethical, and the code of ethics must advocate for the accommodation of the vulnerable in society. Additionally, a dual relationship may exist where a counselor has a sexual relationship with their client. This is an unethical practice since the client may fail to open up adequately to the counselor. Such an act should have a way of disciplining in the code of ethics,

Ethical issues and Dimensions in Ethical Decision-Making

Changes in moral issues happen after the termination of services. However, they do not depend on the period incurred to initiate a dual relationship after terminating services. Time is not a factor in determining how the changes occur. This is because most dual relationships are on a personal level between professionals and clients. The management must thus seek solutions to maintaining dual ethical relationships without terminating the services offered.

Changes in key ethical dimensions

However, terminating the services might change the moral aspects. The termination may influence client factors, therapeutic dimensions, and the dimension of the setting. Sexual advances by professionals such as therapists may affect clients who have a history of trauma. Termination of services in such cases prevents more harm making professionalism more ethical and discouraging inappropriate behavior.

Boundary violation with a current client but acceptable with a former client

For instance, a former client may be comfortable with a special treatment-professional dual relationship. In this relationship, a psychotherapist may also offer to provide consultation on nutrition to their clients. A current client may view it as a boundary violation.

Conclusion

Organizations must encourage the right relationships between their specialists and clients. Dual relationships must not contribute to boundary-crossing. All relationships held professionally ought to be ethical.

Section 2: Development on Thinking about Ethics

Introduction

Ethics is an essential aspect of every sector. It refers to a set of generally accepted principles in society. Ethics keep morality in society alive. It is the role of individuals and organizations to ensure ethical convictions that actively contribute to set standards to practice professionally. This is because ethics greatly influence the mental health of individuals and experts must ensure that they impact clients positively

Impact of ethics

Counselors must equip themselves with knowledge on ethics for ethical decision making in their area of professionalism. The decisions base on the available ethical guidelines, constant reviews on ethical principles, and the existing moral codes (M.Robson, P Cook, K Hunt, G Alred, and D Robson, 2000). The study of ethics provides an insight into the importance of self-care. Practitioners must offer the best services to their clients. However, the best service grants personal care as the first requirement. For instance, counselors and psychiatrists must ensure the safety of their mental health. It is ethical that they do not take clients’ troubles personally that it causes them mental disturbance and emotional breakdown.

Moreover, boundary-crossing and dual relationship is a significant issue in ethics. Not all boundary crossing entails dual relationships, and not all dual relationships are unethical. This opens broader perspectives among people. For instance, home visits and going on vacations with clients are border crossings due to personal relationships such as friendships. These practices encourage ethical and friendlier relationships with clients.

Conclusion

It is quite essential to maintain ethical practices. The appropriate relationships create a better way of professionals dealing with their clients. Not all boundary crossings are legal matters, but it depends on the complexity of the issue.