Ethics 501: Boundary Issues

Alice is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has counseled Thomas for several months. An issue to which they have devoted considerable time is Thomas' fear of failure, particularly in terms of his ability to succeed academically and complete his G.E.D. When Thomas learns that he has passed his G.E.D. exam, he asks Alice to attend the ceremony at which he will receive his G.E.D. diploma and she accepts the invitation. This is an example of: Poor professional judgment. A boundary violation. A boundary crossing. A detrimental dual relationship. A violation of the code of ethics standard on non-professional relationships.

a boundary crossing.

A definition of a "boundary" that is offered in the text is: A limit that promotes nonmaleficence. A frame around the therapeutic relationship that defines the participants' roles in the relationship. A situation in which a counselor enters into two or more roles with a help seeker. An inappropriate intimacy between counselor and client. A potentially beneficial interaction between counselor and client.

a frame around the therapeutic relationship that defines the participants' roles in the relationship.

The primary difference between a boundary crossing and a boundary violation is: It is hard to reach agreement as to whether a boundary has been crossed. A violation involves a sexual relationship. A crossing occurs in almost every counseling session, while violations are less frequent. In a crossing, a boundary is shifted to meet the needs of the counselor, making sure the client is not harmed in the process. A violation involves a serious breach of the code of ethics that results in a client being harmed.

a violation involves a serious breach of the code of ethics that results in a client being harmed.

It would be ethically permissible for you to consider entering into a bartering arrangement with a prospective client if: Bartering is an acceptable practice among other professionals in your community. You cannot afford to provide pro bono services. You suggest bartering and the client agrees to this arrangement. The client does not have mental health insurance. You are designing and plan to build a new house and the client is an architect whose skills you can use.

bartering is an acceptable practice among other professionals in your community.

Boundaries serve to protect the welfare of clients because: Counselors are vulnerable in counseling relationships. Clients are vulnerable in counseling relationships. Counselors and clients would often become friends if boundaries did not exist. Counselors and clients naturally are attracted to each other. Clients might use counselors to get their personal needs met if there were no boundaries.

clients are vulnerable in counseling relationships.

To be a culturally sensitive counselor, when a client from a different culture offers a counselor a gift, the counselor SHOULD: Never accept the gift. Always accept the gift. Take into primary consideration the monetary value of the gift. Evaluate the meaning the client attaches to the offering of the gift. Consider offering a similar gift in return.

evaluate the meaning the client attaches to the offering of the gift.

Friendships with former clients: Are prohibited by the ACA Code of Ethics. Are allowed, under specified conditions, by the ACA Code of Ethics. Generally, should be avoided because they create a potential for problems. Occur infrequently because most counselors disapprove of them in all circumstances. Have been entered into by about 95% of all counselors.

generally, should be avoided because they create a potential for problems.

The typical counselor who enters into a sexual relationship with a client is: One who has had a number of ethical complaints filed against him or her in the past. Is a professionally isolated male counselor who is experiencing distress or crisis in his personal life. Is a male counselor under the age of 30. Is a counselor who has few friends and who has low self-esteem. Is a person who has a number of emotional problems and who has been in counseling for a number of years.

is a professionally isolated male counselor who is experiencing distress or crisis in his personal life.

A counselor's self-disclosure in a counseling session: May be acceptable if the counselor believes the disclosure will benefit the client. Is acceptable if the client is not uncomfortable with the counselor's disclosure. Is encouraged to demonstrate that the counselor is genuine and human. Usually results in harm to the client. Is a practice that is universally accepted by counseling professionals.

may be acceptable if the counselor believes the disclosure will benefit the client.

Regarding dual relationships between counselors and clients: Counselors are in agreement that such relationships are always wrong. Experts all agree that such relationships are always harmful to clients. There is no consensus among professionals, as to which dual relationships are acceptable and which are not. Most counselors agree that dual relationships invite greater authenticity and congruence from counselors and can improve their professional judgments. Experts agree that if clients assent to dual relationships, the dual relationships are acceptable to the profession.

there is no consensus among professionals, as to which dual relationships are acceptable and which are not.