Exploitation in Dual Relationship in APA Style - Essay Example

Running Head: Dual Relationship A Paper on the Exploitation in Dual Relationship In APA Style Introduction There are different areas in relation to the behaviour of a person that can be considered related to different interactions such as dual relationship. Dual relationship can be considered as one of the areas of psychotherapy that can be defined as the relationship and connection of a patient to the therapist specifically in professional consult which can be existent or that happened at some point in time (Pope, 1991). There are different types and different issues that are related to the said notion. One is the background of the relationship, the causes and even the issues such as exploitation is considered of importance when it comes to the study of the said subject. The goal of the study conducted is to present the issues that are related to the dual relationship in psychotherapy specifically the issues on ethics counselling and the field of psychotherapy per se. Dual Relationship in Psychotherapy Defined Dual relationship in psychotherapy can be focused on the fact that the therapist has other existing or subsequent relationship to the patient. This relationship can either be in terms of the social aspect, financial aspect or even profession aspect. When the term dual is attributed it does not limit the issue on the concurrent relationships. Based on the opinions of the professionals the, it is important to prevent dual relationships due to the effects that can be brought about in the treatment of the patients. Basically, the relationship between therapists and patients should remain purely professional due to the probability that the medical treatments and interventions can be affected by the dual relationships that occur between the therapists and the patients. The optimum level of health care that can be given cannot be achieved if the main concern of the therapist can be affected by other issues due to the other relationship with the patient. In this case, the professionalism and the ethical issues are often considered and needed as guidelines. There are other issues that are needed to be considered in the study of the dual relationships. It can be perceived as a negative act in general, thus, it is commonly suggested to prevent such acts on the basis of the welfare of the patients. But is important to consider that the cases wherein blood ties are considered as the connection between the therapist and the patient, it is still considered as a situation that is below the optimum expected. Another issue is related to the ethical considerations that can be attached to such relationships (Pope and Vetter, 1992). A. Types of Dual Relationships The main types of dual relationships are considered to be able to determine the proper actions that can be undertaken. These types are considered as the major ones which include the double roles, the double professions, the double financial relationships and the unavoidable dual relationships. The double roles can be defined as the type wherein the client or the therapist is connected in other ways. An example is the therapist may be a former student of the client. The said relationship can still be considered to have certain effects on the performance of the procedure. The relationship can be considered as relevant since it is one of the most common categories (Borys and Pope, 1989). Double professions on the other hand deals with the people that are into different professions and lines of work simultaneously. This is one of the reasons that these professionals meet people that may get their professional service. For example the therapist can at the same time be into the academe, thus students can also be clients (Borys and Pope, 1989). There are also cases of dual relationships that can be considered as inevitable and at some point a necessity. This can occur in cases such as the military wherein the officers may at the same time be therapists and medical professionals, thus are licensed to perform the roles that are viewed to be unavoidable. Such roles can be considered as required in professions such as the military (Borys and Pope, 1989). These are some of the types of dual relationships that can be considered. It is important to determine these types since the most important issues in the study are the determination of the boundaries that can point out the cases of exploitation. The significance lies in the fact that the cases of exploitation make the dual relationships detrimental to the welfare of the patients and thus pushes the avoidance of the dual relationships. B. Boundaries of the Dual Relationships In the identification of the exploitative cases of the dual relationships, the ethical boundaries are considered as the main guidelines to be able to have a practice that is free of the cases of misconduct. In the clinical practice, the sexual misconduct litigation can be considered as one of the most important concerns. It is important for the medical practitioners specifically the therapists since the job that they are involved in are tapping the emotional and psychological aspects of the patients. This scenario makes the patients more vulnerable and susceptible to exploitation (Gutheil and Gabbard, 1993). There are areas that involve different factors that can be considered to require guidance specifically on the bases that these are in the highest susceptibility to exploitation. Included in such factors are the social roles that are being held, the time, the place and the space. Financial issues are also one of the most influential factors. Other basic needs such as clothing and services and even emotional and physical need can be causes of the exploitation in the in terms of dual relationships (Gutheil and Gabbard, 1993). Basically, it is important for the involved parties to be able to have a firm concept on the boundaries that guide them. Knowledge of these boundaries can result to a more guided action and the fulfilment of the objectives of the medical process which is treatment. In cases wherein dual relationships are present, more attention is needed to be given to the boundaries. The need to follow such rules is important to avoid the exploitation of any of the concerns most especially the patients that can be considered as more emotionally susceptible and vulnerable. The most vital goal in setting up of boundaries is to increase the effective risk management which is the only precaution that can be applied and utilized by both groups specifically if the unavoidable dual relationship is already present. Increased awareness can be equated to increase welfare and success of the treatments. Exploitation as a Highlighted Issue The main consideration in the application of guidelines and boundaries in the psychotherapy is on the protection of the patients and the optimization of the treatment process. Important guidelines in terms of the treatment process are divided into categories. One is in relation to the avoidance and prevention of the harm that can be given to the patient. Another is with regards to the practice of the particular profession with competence. This can be considered vital in the prevention of dual relationship that can get too far and may involve sexual relationships. This can be attributed to the fact that competence defines the respect that is needed to be given to the patients. Another rule is the prohibition of exploitation which is the focus of the study. Although, the rules are interrelated, the clear expression that exploitation is one of the basic rules can mark the weight that the exploitative action can take when committed (Pope, Tabachnick and Keith-Spiegel, 1987). The other rules and guidelines target the respect for the total being of the patient. The emotional, the physical and the social being are needed to be given attention. Having attachment and relationships can affect the total being of a person. Basically, if the of the person seeks the attention of a therapist, the medical needs are the only needs that should be given attention by the therapist and the medical practitioner. Simple and basic guidelines can be generalized by considering the fact that it is beyond the capacity and the capability of the therapist to be able to give the needs of the patient in other aspects. In return, it is more unlawful if the therapists to use the patients for personal reasons specifically personal needs of different aspects. Ways of Avoiding and Coping with Dual Relationships In general, the cases of dual relationships can be considered of as largely destructive in terms of the treatment process in psychotherapy. Such connections can hinder the attainment of the optimum level of the wellness upon the application of the different forms of treatments. Although both sides can be negatively affected, it is the patients that are more detrimentally influenced. Basically, exploitation is the most detrimental and destructive effect since the patient has lower resolve in times wherein professional care is sought thus judgement cannot be trusted in their case. In the said situation it can be viewed that the therapists that are of more control of the situation can be taking advantage. Also another dangerous effect that is needed to be prevented is the possible refusal of the client to seek therapy in the future, thus, causing more harm instead of increasing the wellness of the patient (Gottlieb, 1993). Due to the said reasons, it is important to avoid dual relationships. For the case of the therapists, it can be considered that they hold the responsibility in the said situation since they are guided by the ethical measures of practice. Also, they are the authorities compared to the emotionally challenged patients that seek their services. It can then be considered as an intentional action if dual relationship is committed by the therapist (Gottlieb, 1993). Although this is the case avoidance can also be prompted by the therapist specifically if the client is the one who initiated the possible commitment of dual relationship. There are also based on different reasons such as power in terms of different aspects such as politics and profession which can be defined by influence. If the therapist has genuine concern for the patient, manipulation can even be conducted through the pathological aspect and the issues related to the disease. There are also other reasons that when studied can play important roles in the manoeuvre of the person, the therapist or the patient (Gottlieb, 1993). If the methods for avoidance failed to control the occurrence of dual relationship, coping with the said situations can be more of a challenge. Thus, it is important to have a more active action to be able to resolve the situation. This is due to the fact that the said cases are mandated by law and can be a professional suicide for the health professionals. In cases wherein the clients are the ones that initiated the dual relationship, it is still more of the responsibility of the therapist on the basis of certain reasons. One is the fact that although patients initiate, the therapists are more responsible. Another is the fact that the therapists are the ones that are tied to an oath to take care of the clients. Thus, although right or wrong, the clients are the ones protected by the laws (Gottlieb, 1993). Thus, it is important to cope with the problem at the earliest stage possible. Such relationships can be considered of high professional risks, thus it is needed to be given immediate action to be able to resolve. Dealing is also important to be able to prevent having detrimental effects to the possible results of the treatment process. Another method of coping with the said situation is through the consultation of the therapist to higher authorities, e. g. the leaders of the profession to be able to prevent further detrimental effects to the clients (Gottlieb, 1993). Another way that can be related to the seeking of advice from professional authorities is the request for the advice of other professionals on the medical case of the patient to countercheck if the judgement was not affected by the dual relationship. Analysis of the Issues Related to Dual Relationships Based on the results of the study conducted, it can be concluded that in relation to the cases of dual relationships responsibility of both the therapist and the patient is required. This can be attributed to the fact that the effects that can result from the dual relationship can be destructive and detrimental to both sides. The cases of exploitative acts that can cover a wide variety of cases can also be considered to require attention and dependability from both sides. The seeking of professional psychotherapy can be considered as one of the most important field in medicine on the basis of the fact that there is continuous increase in the number of the people that require professional attention due to stresses in life. If the problems are magnified by the cases of exploitation, then the public may choose to prevent treatment. It can be an added concern aside from the already present concerns related to financial aspect. Reference: Borys, D.S. & Pope, K.S. (1989). Dual relationships between therapist and client: A national study of psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 20, p. 283-293. Gottlieb, M.C. (1993). Avoiding exploitive dual relationships: A decision-making model. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 30, p. 41-48. Gutheil, T. G. and Gabbard, G. O. (1993). The Concept of Boundaries in Clinical Practice: Theoretical and Risk-Management Dimensions. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150, p. 188-196. Pope, K. S. (1991). Dual Relationships in Psychotherapy: Dual Roles and Sexual Intimacies in Psychotherapy. Ethics & Behavior, 1. Pope, K. S., Tabachnick, B. G. and Keith-Spiegel, P. (1987). Ethics of practice: The beliefs and behaviors of psychologists as therapists. American Psychologist, 42, p. 993-1006. Pope, K.S. & Vetter, V.A. (1992). Ethical dilemmas encountered by members of the American Psychological Association: A national survey. American Psychologist, 47, p. 397-411. Read More