Dual Relationships: Ethical and Clinical Aspects of Dual Relationships in Psychotherapy

Dual Relationships: Ethical and Clinical Aspects of Dual Relationships in Psychotherapy is organized by At Health, LLC.

Course Overview:
This program assumes that sexual dual relationships with clients are unethical, and, therefore, addresses only non-sexual dual relationships. The course consists of a series of articles that discuss such issues as boundary violations, boundary crossings, and dual relationships. The material examines various codes of ethics with regard to dual relationships and instructs clinicians on how to make ethical decisions regarding dual relationships. The course reviews the main arguments for and against dual relationships and provides illustrations of judicious boundary crossings and non-sexual dual relationships that are unavoidable, ethical, and that can be an integral part of well-formulated treatment plans.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this program, participants should be able to:
• Define boundary crossings, boundary violations, and dual relationships in psychotherapy
• Summarize the main arguments for and against dual relationships
• Describe strategies for ethical decision-making with regard to bartering, boundary crossings, and dual relationships
• Apply guidelines for non-sexual dual relationships
• Use relevant sections of laws/regulations and ethics codes to evaluate the potential harm of dual relationships.