Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Guidelines

Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Guidelines
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Introduction
Boundaries in therapy are termed as the therapeutic-fiduciary frames that distinguish psychotherapy from the elements of social, sexual, family, and business relationships. Some boundaries are in most cases drawn between clients and therapists on the therapeutic relationships that include time, privacy and confidentiality, place of sessions and fees(Sude, 2013). Other boundaries may also be drawn on therapists physical contact, self-disclosure, contact outside therapy sessions, receiving and giving gifts, clothing, the use of language and proximity between the client and the therapists during counselling sessions.
On the other hand, it is essential to consider the fact that counselors today have several opportunities to professionally collaborate worldwide and help in the promotion of professional counselling on a global context. The development of a meaningful and sustainable collaborative relationship remains a vital element of success in counseling(Sude, 2013). Counselors interested in the development of such relationships should be vast with the manner in which relationships are established and maintained within this field. In as much as collaboration is viewed as a vital element of developing counseling identities, there is a need to consider strategies of incorporating this element in counselling.
The decisions between what is right and what is wrong in many ways permeate out everyday lives. Ethics in this case ought to take consideration of all the spheres of life in ensuring that individuals act properly, the society is made as a whole, and responsible governments and organizations are created. It is therefore essential to consider that all these are based on the development of our ethical thinking(Sude, 2013). This paper is in three parts and seeks to determine the manner in which boundary-crossing or dual relationships may be viewed as ethical and appropriate. On the other hand, the paper will also evaluate the rationale behind collaborative efforts that involves the counselors and other stakeholders in regards to a client’s care with the aim of maintaining professional and ethical boundaries in practice. Lastly, the paper will take a closer look at the development of thinking in regards to ethics.
Section 1
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships
* Decision Making Models
It is first essential to consider the fact that boundary crossing and violations infer to the act of deviation from the traditional emotionally distant forms of therapy or the deviations from rigid approaches of risk-management procedures. Boundary violation occurs in the event a therapist crosses their limits of decency and exploits a client (Barnett, 2014). It is however, essential to consider the fact that boundary violation in therapy differs from boundary crossing. While boundary violations turn out to be harmful to the patients, boundary crossings can be viewed as extremely helpful in the process of counseling.
According to Barnett (2014)boundary crossing if well incorporated within counselling may be an ethical when they are well formulated and evidence based in the development of treatment plans. This author argues that nonsexual boundary crossing has the capacity to strengthen the working relationship between the therapist and the client through a process that enriches the element of therapy by serving the treatment approach (pp.172). This therefore provides a clear indication that if a dual relationship is not approached with a clear decision, the relationship that exists between the therapist and the client could undermine the process of therapy, a factor that would cut off the therapist-client alliance and cause strong harm to the patient.
Boundary crossing decisions are therefore arrived at daily with the counsellors a factor that determines the progress of therapy. Counselors are therefore in a position to make ethical decisions when they have approaches to boundary’s crossing based on a sound and critical approach of thinking that is weaved in ethical reasoning (Barnett, 2014). It is therefore vital for counselors to remain alert to the evolving case laws and statutes affecting the ethical standards. In applying this element within a counseling situation that is complex and ambiguous, as a counselor, there is need to draw some lines and understand the primary motive behind boundary’s crossing.
An example of this can be in flying in the same airplane with a client who suffers from the fear of heights and flights.Additionally, an ethical boundary crossing can be noted in having lunch with an orexin client or making home visits to a bed ridden patient who has grown is age (Barnett, 2014). Beneficial boundary crossing also includes taking a vigorous walk with a depressed patient or even accompanying a patient to a medical doctor’s appointment that would not be done alone.
B: Ethical Issues and Dimensions
Termination of Therapy when a Dual Relationship is Initiated
It is essential to consider the fact that dual relationships occur when therapists engage in financial, social and professional relationships with their clients outside the counseling rooms. Sexual dual relationships have been determined as the primary characteristics and ethical elements that are understood by most professionals since the non-sexual posttherapeutic relationships remain controversial. According to Barnett (2014) whateveris specified within a relationship, a non-sexual post-termination relationship may be characterized by shifts in scope and quality of interpersonal contact (pp.173).
An instance of this can be viewed when the levels of self-disclosure is considered as high on the client’s part and low on the part of the counselor. In the event that a post-termination relationship happens, the therapists will be expected to disclose their personal aspects of their selves as the former client (Barnett, 2014). This disclosure reciprocity according to sources is an element that keeps friendship vital in as much as it’s viewed as deliberated and non-therapeutic in counseling relationships.
Additionally, it is essential to point out that an instance of a situation in which boundary violations are experienced can be viewed when a counselor receives a gift from the cl...