What Are the Professional Boundaries in Clinical Psychology?
The professional relationships between clinical psychologists and their patients should be strictly maintained at all times. It is unethical to enter into what is known as a "dual relationship" with a client. In most cases, terminating the professional relationship is imperative, as it is hard to preserve this relationship after other feelings have been explored. This includes crossing the line into friendship, having romantic feelings for one another or entering into a work relationship. As a clinical psychologist, you are responsible for taking control of the situation.
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Purpose
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The purpose of professional boundaries in clinical psychology is mainly to protect the client. It is vital for the therapist to maintain a certain emotional distance from the patient so as to listen and advise properly. This line can be blurred when other relationships form with a patient. Professional boundaries also serve to protect the counselor, namely from accusations of improper behavior.
Features
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The boundaries of each relationship may differ. While many psychologists strictly adhere to a "no contact outside of the session" policy, others may deem it okay to have a casual conversation with a patient they run into at the grocery store. A particular psychologist may even have different relationships with each of her clients, although this is not advised. However, exceptions will always arise and should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Considering the duration of outside contact is a key ingredient in determining the appropriateness of the relationship. For example, hiring a client to do your weekly lawn service is not appropriate, but purchasing a nice dress from a client who owns a boutique may not be a big deal, especially if you live in a small town where there are few alternatives.
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Being Clear
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Problems that arise usually occur when the professional boundaries are not clear to begin with. Therefore, boundaries should be included as part of the intake paperwork. The wording should be clear and specifically state the therapist's intentions. An example is "The therapist-client relationship is one that does not permit contact in a casual manner outside the therapy session. This includes work relationships, social conversations or any type of romantic or sexual contact." You may also want to state something about not giving personal information to a client, as there is no need for them to know this kind of thing. If the client signs the consent form, a contract is in effect and should not be breached by either party.
Breach of Contract
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If the client chooses to breach the "relationship contract," the therapeutic relationship may end. If the psychologist is uncomfortable with seeing the patient, she should refer him elsewhere. The parties may continue the social relationship if they choose, provided there are no misconceptions about the termination of treatment.
Outside Opinions
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If you're unsure of the boundaries of a specific situation, you can visit an ethics consultant to get an unbiased opinion of the situation. You can also take a refresher course in ethics and law to update yourself on the professional boundaries of your profession. These are offered as continuing education credits, so you can knock that out of the way while getting the necessary information.
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