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Running head: COUNSELOR ETHICAL BOUNDARIES AND PRACTICES

Chyanne Farris

Grand Canyon University

CNL 505: Professional Counseling, Ethical, and Legal Considerations

Professor Melissa Milliken

March 30th, 2020

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Introduction

When practicing as a professional counselor, true relationships are built with clients.

Each and every counselor is to abide by a code of ethical standards. Within the connections that

are made between a counselor and a client, ethical standards and professionalism help define the

relationship. Normal everyday behavior, human conduct, and ethical decision making are

influenced by the responsibilities’ counselors have to uphold while being licensed. Boundaries,

multidisciplinary teams, and relationships with supervisors or colleagues are important aspects of

the counseling profession.

Boundary Issues and Dual Relationship

As a professional counselor, relationships with clients need to be appropriate at all times.

Often a counselor may encounter boundary issues which ties into the idea of dual relationships.

Sexual relationships with clients are absolutely prohibited while practicing. The only exception

is if all interaction took place previously within a 5-year time span and there has been no sexual

contact since (ACA, 2014). According to the American Counseling Association [ACA] (2014),

“Counselors consider the risks and benefits of accepting as clients those with whom they have

had a previous relationship. These potential clients may include individuals with whom the

counselor has had a casual, distant, or past relationship” (p.5). Boundary-crossing happens when

the therapist and client have an encounter that isn’t within their normal everyday lives. An

example would be accepting a call from a client and meeting up with them when they ask to

meet outside of the typical clinical setting. Professional boundaries are to be established with

each client or if not, it may create a fog between boundaries. A boundary violation can be very

harmful to the client and therapy process (Krishnaram et al., 2012). An important goal as a
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counselor, is to be self-aware and make sure ethical standards are used regardless of the setting

or relationship.

A dual relationship is created when a counselor and client know each other from outside

the counseling setting. It can be seen as a dual relationship to have family members or close

friends become clients because of the intensity of the relationship. The first example of a dual

relationship is a student wanting to become a client. With this relationship setting boundaries,

knowing the welfare of the student, and making sure a firm treatment plan is executed will help

with effective treatment. The second example of a dual relationship is a soon to be former

student contacting a newly single counselor (they have had one prior counseling session) about a

potential partner/relationship. In this situation, it is not meant to be a harmful dual relationship

but can quickly turn if the counselor decides to make plans with the potential partner. Both

parties involved need to be aware of the ethical dilemmas that can arise. Applying the 6-step

decision making model by Atchison and Beemsterboer would help with identifying options in

which would be the best decision based on the counselor and client relationship. The third

example of a dual relationship is a distant mutual friend that reaches out for counseling.

Knowing that you have a friend in common with this potential client, using a general ethical

decision-making model would be effective. Using an ethical assessment screen can be easily

applied to this dual relationship gathering more knowledge on the personal, professional and

societal aspects. The last example of a dual relationship is accepting a client that was a previous

sexual partner. Clearly physical attraction is involved in this interaction, so the counselor has to

make a choice on providing the services or not, as long as everything else meets ethical

requirements. Applying the three-dimensional model from Gottlieb covers dual relationships and

how to evaluate them in an ethical manner. This model explains the power behind the
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relationship, the duration, and the clarity of termination, better understanding the type of therapy

needed (Gottlieb, 1993). If a counselor is to engage within a dual relationship, they need to make

sure to collect all required documentation (especially informed consent) and to document as

much as possible within sessions.

Professional Collaboration in Counseling: Working with a Multidisciplinary Team

Collaboration in counseling happens frequently and is a necessity to the community. This

involves sharing perspective’s with others but not always agreeing with one another.

“Counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists are often serving

in the same professional function and role is undeniable” (Hrovat et al., 2013, p. 3). With having

that in common it can make for a great team. As a counselor, you may work with drug and

alcohol counselors, behavior therapists, case managers or supervisors, program directors, etc.

Working with a multidisciplinary team requires a counselor to be aware of different theories or

approaches while acknowledging other team members skills (ACA, 2014). A multidisciplinary

team creates guidelines to a client’s treatment that incorporates agreements among both social

and mental aspects of the individual (Christofides et al., 2012). Each individual within the team

has the same goal of wanting the client to be a better them. Multidisciplinary teams are used to

combine skills, have mutual support, show differing knowledge, and apply a continuous care

method (Mental Health Commission, 2006). According to the ACA (2014) code D.1.b

“Counselors work to develop and strengthen relationships with colleagues from other disciplines

to best serve clients” (p. 10). As a counselor, if working with others is needed it is within their

duty to do so for the benefits of the client.

Relationships with Supervisors and Colleagues

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When becoming a professional counselor, dealing with supervisors and colleagues is a

frequent encounter. These encounters can be very beneficial if an individual chooses to take

advantage of the extra support and those similar to them. Clinical supervisors and counselors

should build a great relationship with one another. Effective supervisors abide by the ethical

standards required and actively follow up with counselors. Their role is to help an aspiring

counselor become ethically and legally competent within their profession. Supervisors are also

responsible of informing supervisees of issues, policies, and consent documents that need to be

signed by clients (ACA, 2014). A student should gain a lot of experience from their supervisor

and know that they can depend on their advice when situations arise. According to Corey, Corey,

Corey, & Callanan (2014), “it is the supervisor’s responsibility to help trainees identify how their

personal dynamics are likely to influence their work with clients, yet it is not the proper role of

supervisors to serve as personal counselors for supervisees” (p. 362). Boundaries need to be set

with a counselor and supervisor relationship as well.

Every now and then, counselors observe another colleague practicing unethically. An

example would be practicing outside of one’s own competence. If a situation arises and when

this takes place speaking with that colleague and reminding them of the standards counselors

need to project may help. Also, going to the supervisor and explaining a concern about unethical

practicing can be effective. It is the student and colleagues’ duty to apply ethics and legal aspects

at all times, but the supervisor also plays a role as well. According to the ACA (2014),

“Supervisors make their supervisees aware of professional and ethical standards and legal

responsibilities” (p.13). At times, ethical issues can arise in a supervisor-counselor relationship

and this frequently happens if the relationship becomes one sided. If the student doesn’t feel that

they are receiving enough within clinicals or might not have enough hours that can be an issue. A
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supervisor is to always follow up and be aware of how the student is doing before they receive

licensure within this profession.

Development of Your Thinking about Ethics

My thoughts about ethics have drastically changed since I began my master’s program. I

gained a new perspective on how much knowledge you have to not only remember but apply

within every session. This course specifically has made me apply ethical codes frequently which

helps better grasp the standards and responsibilities. Having the knowledge that boundaries

matter in every client-counselor relationship will help me when I begin practicum and my

internship. I have been more open-minded than a couple months ago, which is a quality I need to

have in this career field. I also noticed that I am more self-aware about my own life events and

how to, better handle situations as well. My views and beliefs have not changed because I

believe that everyone is unique and views things in their own manner. Overall, I truly enjoy this

profession and better understanding what it takes to be a competent counselor.

Conclusion

There are many types of relationships found in the realm of counseling. The counselor

ultimately has the option to take on previously known clients or associates. It is important to be

sure that these relationships begin ethically and remain that way. There are tools that can be used

to determine if a relationship falls into an area that would be considered unethical. Good

counseling is based on relationships whether its clients, supervisors, team members or

colleagues. Remembering to always follow ethical and legal standards is a huge key factor in this

profession.
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References

American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

Christofides, S., Johnstone, L., & Musa, M. (2012). “Chipping in”: Clinical psychologists’

descriptions of their use of formulation in multidisciplinary team working. Psychology &

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 85(4), 424–435. https://doi-

org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02041.x

Corey, G., Corey, M., Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping

Professions. [eBook edition]. Cengage Learning. Retrieved from

http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2014/issues-and-ethics-in-the-helping-

professions_ebook_9e.php

Gottlieb, M. C. (1993). Avoiding exploitive dual relationships: A decision-making model.

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 30(1), 41–48. doi: 10.1037/0033-

3204.30.1.41

Hrovat, A., Thompson, L.K., & Thaxton, S.L. (2013). Preparing Counselors-in-Training for

Multidisciplinary Collaboration : Lessons Learned from a Pilot Program. Retrieved from

https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/preparing-counselors-in-training-

for-multidisciplinary-collaboration.pdf

Krishnaram, V., Aravind, V., & Thasneem, Z. (2012). Boundary Crossings and Violations in

Clinical Settings. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(1), p. 21-24.

doi:10.4103/0253-7176.96151.

Mental Health Commission. (2006). Multidisciplinary Team Working: From Theory to Practice:

Discussion Paper. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi: 10.1037/e657312010-001

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