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CEU Course Description

Dual relationships in behavioral health practice refer to any situations where multiple roles exist between a therapist and a client. Examples of dual relationships include when the client is also a student, friend, family member, employee, or business associate of the therapist. Boundary crossings and violations may occur in situations where dual relationships exist.  While boundary crossings may be unavoidable and harmless in certain situations, such as when the clinician and client both live in a small community and see each other away from the therapeutic setting, boundary violations are those that are harmful and exploitative.

Author: Kimberly H. Fortin, LCSW-R

References / Contributions by:

1. AAMFT. (2015). Code of Ethics. Retrieved February 2022: https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
2. Goodine, P. (2017). Managing Multiple Relationships in Therapeutic Roles in Rural Communities. BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, Volume 9, Issue 2, 2017. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1230408.pdf
3. NASW.(2021). Code of Ethics. Retrieved February 2022: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
4. NLASW, Ethical Compass. (September, 2018) #3. Retrieved February 2022. https://nlcsw.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/dual_relationships.pdf
5. Zur, Ofer. (2019). Therapeutic Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Psychotherapy and Counseling. https://www.zurinstitute.com/media/boundariesbrochure.pdf

CEU Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical, and clinical issues involved with dual relationships.
2. Recognize the difference between boundary crossing and boundary violation.
3. Identify criteria for evaluating dual relationships and boundaries.  

CE Outline with Main Points

1. Introduction
2. Boundaries, Boundary Crossings & Boundary Violations 
3. Dual Relationships 
4. Boundaries and Technology
5. Professional Associations Stance on Dual Relationships 
6. Decision-Making Process for Dual Relationships
7. Clear Boundaries to Avoid Unethical
8. Behavior
9. Unethical Dual Relationships & Sexual Misconduct
10. Addressing Attraction to Clients 
11. Reporting Violations 
12. Additional Considerations
13. Case Studies
14. Case Study 1 
15. Case Analysis 1 
16. Case Study 2 
17. Case Analysis 2 
18. Conclusion 
19. References

ACE credit is not offered for this course. A list of courses offering ACE credit can be found here.

CAADE Approval

This course does not have CAADE approval for CEUs.

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Added On: 01/01/2022