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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gardenergirl on January 3, 2005, at 12:27:37
Hi folks,
I was looking up this topic on APA's website for career planning reasons (although I live and work in a medium sized city, it can be small townish in the therapy community), and I thought I'd post the relevant guidelines here. The ethical guidelines for psychologists were revised in June 2003. These new guidelines use stronger language about multiple relationships, particularly sexual intimacies with clients, former clients, or relatives of clients. You can find the entire APA ethical guidelines at http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html#3_05Here are the portions regarding multiple relationships and sexual intimacy:
3.05 Multiple Relationships
(a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person closely associated with or related to the person.A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists.
Multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical.
(b) If a psychologist finds that, due to unforeseen factors, a potentially harmful multiple relationship has arisen, the psychologist takes reasonable steps to resolve it with due regard for the best interests of the affected person and maximal compliance with the Ethics Code.
(c) When psychologists are required by law, institutional policy, or extraordinary circumstances to serve in more than one role in judicial or administrative proceedings, at the outset they clarify role expectations and the extent of confidentiality and thereafter as changes occur. (See also Standards 3.04, Avoiding Harm, and 3.07, Third-Party Requests for Services.)
10.05 Sexual Intimacies With Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients.10.06 Sexual Intimacies With Relatives or Significant Others of Current Therapy Clients/Patients
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients. Psychologists do not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard.10.07 Therapy With Former Sexual Partners
Psychologists do not accept as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies.10.08 Sexual Intimacies With Former Therapy Clients/Patients
(a) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.(b) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. Psychologists who engage in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed since therapy terminated; (2) the nature, duration, and intensity of the therapy; (3) the circumstances of termination; (4) the client's/patient's personal history; (5) the client's/patient's current mental status; (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client/patient; and (7) any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client/patient. (See also Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)
Something to think about...
gg
Posted by Tabitha on January 3, 2005, at 12:49:29
In reply to multiple relationships and therapy FYI, posted by gardenergirl on January 3, 2005, at 12:27:37
I wonder why they bother to leave that opening about the 2 years later, special circumstances blah blah blah. Seems like it's asking for trouble.
Posted by daisym on January 4, 2005, at 0:44:11
In reply to Re: multiple relationships and therapy FYI, posted by Tabitha on January 3, 2005, at 12:49:29
My guess is that there has to be a time line because you can't prohibit grown adults from being together forever, at least in the US. It is a violation of personal rights. Or could be viewed that way. Consenting adults and all that...
I'm always curious if the client/patient understands the ramifications to the therapist if they are discovered. I can't imagine allowing someone I cared about put their career at risk for me, let alone think about possible jail time for them.
Posted by Joslynn on January 5, 2005, at 18:56:05
In reply to Re: multiple relationships and therapy FYI » Tabitha, posted by daisym on January 4, 2005, at 0:44:11
Well I see it as, you can't prohibit adults from being together, but a professional organization can decide that someone else in the organization is no longer following their ethical guidelines and therefore not worthy of the profession.
Pdocs can never have relationships with current or former clients, so it is technically legal to prohibit this.
I think the idea is that transference can bring the client to the state of being emotionally childlike and/or vulnerable, so it is no longer a case of two consenting adults, on an emotional level.
(That is my understanding but gardnergirl or someone in the profession may want to correct me if I misunderstood.)
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