ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY- MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS

Ethics in Psychology - Multiple Relationships

Abstract

In this paper, we would be discussing issues concerning boundary issues and multiple relationships, with the help of a scenario, which would analyze the concept of multiple relationships. Multiple relationships prevail when a therapist is involved in another, considerably different relationship with another client who is not connected to both the persons. The first section of this paper explains what multiple relationships actually are and what does it consist of. In the next phase, a scenario is presented which explains the potential of boundary issues and multiple relationships. Ethical issues that come with are also discussed. Lastly, the challenges that are faced by professional psychologists on the issues of boundary issues and multiple relationships are also presented.

Multiple Relationships and Boundaries

The topic of boundary violations and multiple relationships raises number of critics in professional ethics. According to The American Psychological Association's Ethics committee, there are about 40 to 50% complaints that are related to multiple relationships (Meyers, 2005). Psychological experts are mostly criticized for not regarding and respecting the rights of their clients, which results in distrust among the parties, and hence in many cases their licenses have been revoked. Because of this, multiple relations have been regarded as the leading factor in the termination of the licenses (Meyers, 2005). In this paper we would be discussing the finer concepts of multiple relationships and the ethical issues related to it. All of these concepts are presented in the context of professional psychology and the ethical issues that psychologists face while dealing with their clients

Discussion

Concept of multiple relationships

Multiple relationships occur when a therapist takes on two or more roles with a client in a professional setting (Zur, 2010). There are many types of multiple relationships, which include social, professional, business, communal, institutional, forensic, and sexual. The social relationship occurs when the therapist and client are friends also (Zur, 2010). The professional relationship occurs when the therapist and client are also colleagues or coworkers (Moleski & Kiselic, 2005). The business relationship occurs when the therapist and clients are business partners or has an employee-employer relationship (Zur, 2010). The communal relationship occurs when the therapist and client live in the same community, attend the same church, or the client shops at a store that is owned by the therapist (Moleski & Kiselic, 2005). The institutional relationship occurs when the therapist has an inherent place in military, prisons, and mental hospital (Zur, 2010). The forensic relationship occurs if the therapist has to be an evaluator or witness for trials and hearings (Zur, 2010). The sexual relationship occurs when the therapist and client are involved sexually. This type of multiple relationship is always inappropriate and unethical (Zur, 2010). According to APA code of ethics, a psychologist should refrain from entering into a multiple relationship because of the possibility of the psychologist's judgment being compromised (APA, 2010). In some cases, the psychologist's objective, competence or effectiveness in performing their function as a psychologist risk exploitation or harm to ...