Topic > Dual Relationships in Counseling - 1209

Every counselor faces situations that require strong ethical decision-making, so determining the appropriate path to take when faced with a difficult ethical dilemma can be a challenge. (Franklin, 2013) The act of helping has power implications and anyone in the role of helper is almost always seen as the person in control; the person who has the power, can be a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, government officials, social workers, etc. and, for the purposes of writing this article, a therapist. The client begins in a lower position of power than the helper. (Corey et al., 2011) states that “dual or multiple relationships occur when a professional has more than one relationship with a client simultaneously or sequentially.” Dual relationships arise in a variety of situations such as teacher-parent, student-client, relative-client etc. Therefore dual relationships can become a highly complex problem in the helping profession. Keywords: ethics, decision making, therapeutic, ethical dilemma, ACA Code of EthicsIntroductionThe act of helping has power implications and anyone in the role of helper is almost always seen as the person in control; the person who has the power, can be a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, government officials, social workers, etc. and, for the purposes of writing this article, a therapist. The client starts in a lower position of power than the helper. (Corey et al., 2011) states that “dual or multiple relationships occur when a professional has more than one relationship with a client simultaneously or sequentially.” Dual relationships arise in a variety of situations such as teacher-parent, student-client, relative-client etc. therefore dual relationships can become a...half of document......011) states that “the therapist loses control over the therapy as soon as sexual contact begins; Corey goes on to state that “depression, sexual confusion, isolation, and hopelessness—these are all potential emotional outcomes for the client-victim and therapist-perpetrator involved in a sexual relationship” (Corey, et al. 2011. In conclusion, when The Counselor denies your own problems, you will most likely find yourself in a difficult position to pay attention to your customers' concerns, especially if the problem areas are similar to your situation. Having a system in place and good judgment is the key to an effective solution to any dilemma (Franklin, 2013) As George Bernard Shaw once said, "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself" George Bernard Shaw, Maxims of Revolutionaries..