Ethics Update – By Joy Natwick

Family ties: Tackling issues of objectivity and boundaries in counseling

ounseling is about relationships. with the family member of a current client. This doesn’t mean that counselors cannot The counseling relationship This is because of the potential harm to work to put these aside when working Cis the change agent that helps the client, the intimate nature of these with clients. In fact, they must do so to clients tackle problems in school and in relationships and the power differential that practice ethically. their careers and treats serious issues such as may exist. Although counselors cannot ever fully depression and substance abuse. Similarly, the ACA Code of Ethics divorce themselves from these parts Client and counselor do not exist prohibits counselors from counseling of their experience, they can do what in isolation, however. Both parties are individuals with whom they have had Standard A.1.a. of the ACA Code of Ethics likely to have familial ties. Although previous sexual/romantic relationships. states: Put the client’s welfare first. This is family relationships are some of the most When it comes to counseling the family an important step in objectivity, which is important and influential in clients’ lives, members of a former or current sexual/ a theme throughout the 2014 ACA Code they can also present unique challenges romantic partner, the ethics code does not of Ethics. If a counselor cannot remain when it comes to counseling. Additionally, specifically prohibit this, but issues of power objective, this may affect the quality of counselors may find themselves in situations differential and objectivity remain key. the counseling relationship and has the in which their own family ties cause conflict The ethics code sets a requirement that potential to harm the client. in their work. This can lead to complicated counselors wait a minimum of five years The 2014 ethics code prohibits engaging ethical dilemmas for counselors. from the end of the counseling relationship in counseling relationships with family Counselors who specialize in working before beginning a sexual/romantic members with whom the counselor with families, children and adolescents need relationship with former clients or their cannot remain objective. In earlier versions to be skilled in navigating the variables family members. However, this doesn’t of the ethics code, this language was of family ties, but counselors in many mean that the situation is acceptable just more restrictive, forbidding counselors other specialties will run into these issues because the code “allows” it. from treating all family members. The too. As is often the case when it comes to The first consideration for counselors latest iteration of the ethics code allows ethics, some of the best solutions involve must be the well-being of their clients, counselors to treat their relatives in certain counselors taking preventive steps, such as including past clients. If engaging in a circumstances. As long as the counselor being familiar with and applying the 2014 romantic/sexual relationship with a client’s maintains objectivity, it may be permissible ACA Code of Ethics. family member would harm the client, it for him or her to treat a relative. It is always In the context of counseling, family is not ethical for the counselor to engage wise to consult with another counselor includes people related through either in that relationship. To determine the prior to accepting a family member blood or marriage, spouses and other likelihood of this type of relationship as a client to ensure that all aspects of romantic/sexual partners regardless of causing harm, counselors should use an the situation have been reviewed. The marital status. In couples counseling, the ethical decision-making model to weigh counselor should then document how and couple as a unit is considered the client; in the risks and benefits of the relationship. why the decision was made. Counselors should also document this family counseling, the family as a unit is For example, it seems highly unlikely considered the client. The following advice process. Ultimately, the best course of that a counselor would be able to remain applies to both current and past clients, action is for counselors to abstain from objective in treating an immediate family unless otherwise specified. having sexual/romantic relationships with member, such as a sibling, even if that any clients (current or past) or their family Prohibited relationships and roles person has been absent from the counselor’s members, no matter how long ago the In counseling ethics, there are very few life for a number of years. But suppose that counseling relationship ended. black-and-white issues. Sexual/romantic a distant relative approaches a counselor relationships with clients or members of Objectivity seeking professional help. The counselor their families (in person or virtually) are one It might seem silly to say, but counselors has no relationship to speak of with this of the exceptions. It is never justified for a are people too, and each has his or her person and is the only helping professional counselor to engage in a sexual relationship own life experiences, ideas and biases. within a reasonable distance. As long as the

16 | ct.counseling.org | April 2017 counselor can remain unbiased, it would be might be the only medical doctor in town, clients each need individual treatment, allowable to treat this relative. a counselor’s child might be in the same however, it will be very important for the If counselors determine that they cannot class as a client’s child or a counselor may counselor to clearly explain the limits of remain objective in treating a client, they attend the same faith organization as a confidentiality. Clients need to know what should follow the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics client’s parents. information they share, if any, will also be standards regarding referral. Counselors When possible, however, counselors shared with family members. Note that should consider referral first when they feel should avoid extending these boundaries. special considerations apply with minors; that they cannot be objective because of This isn’t to say that counselors should not see Standard B.5.b. in the ACA Code of family ties (either their own or a client’s). be involved in their communities. However, Ethics for details. The most important thing to remember when contemplating extending boundaries, It is also important that the counselor in referring clients is that the needs of the counselors should consider all of the not become the arbitrator between these client come first. Standard A.11. deals with possible implications, especially related to clients if they are having family difficulties. terminations and referrals. the well-being of their clients. Clients should be assured that the counselor One of the reasons that counselors are will remain objective and deliver the best Extending boundaries discouraged from having nonprofessional services to each client without “playing Boundary crossings are one of the most relationships with the family members favorites.” common issues that can lead to problematic of clients is the power differential. Most situations and, in worst-case scenarios, Teaching and supervision counselors do not have difficulty seeing ethical violations for counselors. Counselors At its best, counseling can encourage the power differential that exists between should remember from their training that transformative results. Many counselors counselor and client. However, they they need to be careful about extending choose the profession after observing sometimes fail to see the power differential the boundaries of their relationships with counseling’s potential to change lives for that may exist with family members of clients beyond counseling roles. the better. clients. It is important to remember that However, sticky situations can also arise This may sometimes lead trainees to seek how a client’s relatives view counselors when one steps outside the immediate out the counselors who inspired them to and other authority figures depends on circle of client and counselor. What are enter the profession to ask them to serve as cultural and individual differences, and the appropriate boundaries for counselors the trainees’ educators or supervisors. The the counselor may not know how these to have with family members of their counselor might have helped a trainee’s relatives think. That is why it is safer for clients? Is it ever OK to engage with the family member, or the counselor might the counselor to refrain from extending family member of a client in a business, even be the trainee’s relative. Regardless, boundaries whenever possible. community or religious setting? the trainees know that these counselors are For example, should a counselor hire a Treating multiple members skilled; they have seen the results firsthand. client’s family member to help with billing of the same family Although these counselors likely feel if that person is perhaps the best-qualfied Many different circumstances exist in flattered by being asked to teach or worker for the task, especially considering which a counselor might be asked to treat supervise and may genuinely want to help that the family member is not the client? multiple members of the same family. these new professionals, this situation can There are several issues to consider. If For example, school counselors may find be problematic. Once again, counselors the counselor knows that this person is themselves working with siblings; in small need to engage in a careful and thoughtful qualified and is looking for work because rural communities, there may be no other decision-making process to determine if of information gleaned from sessions with provider within a reasonable distance; they will be able to remain objective in a client, this represents a potential breach family members may share a presenting supervising or teaching this person. Supervisors and counselor educators of confidentiality. problem that is best treated with a should take on only those supervisees Also, if the counselor were to hire the specific intervention in an area where the and students with whom they can remain client’s family member, there would be a counselor is the only provider trained in objective. This guidance allows flexibility change in the relationship dynamics for all that methodology. for counselors in rural areas or those parties involved. Previously, in the family What should counselors do when with uncommon specialties to work member’s view, the counselor was simply they have two clients from the same with their own family members or the someone who was helping the family family? Once again, boundaries will family members of clients as long as the be paramount. Boundaries should member’s loved one. Now the counselor is counselors can remain objective. However, also an employer. Another consideration be explained to clients by way of the relationships such as these should be is that the client may worry about the informed consent document and during avoided if possible. confidentiality of the information that he conversations with clients at the beginning or she has shared with the counselor, even if of treatment and periodically thereafter. Conclusion the counselor insists no breach will occur. Counselors should also consider the Counselors will inevitably have In some settings, such as in rural type of services these clients are seeking. interactions with the family members of communities with limited populations, it If they want joint family therapy, then the clients. Counselors may also find that may be difficult for a counselor to entirely boundaries are dictated by the fact that the those in their own families seek out their avoid interactions with a client’s family. family is the client; the individual members expertise. Regardless, it is the counselor’s For example, a client’s family member are not regarded as separate clients. If these job to carefully examine potentially

April 2017 | Counseling Today | 17 problematic situations and uphold the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics. Counselors should consider whether they NEW! can be objective in a professional counseling relationship with relatives or as trainees who may be related to the counselor or their Neurocounseling: clients. Counselors must understand when boundary extensions are appropriate and Brain-Based Clinical Approaches the nuances of treating multiple members of the same family. Remember: Counselors edited by Thomas A. Field, Laura K. Jones, and Lori A. Russell-Chapin should always ensure that they put the needs of their clients first. For additional information, consult the “Neurocounseling provides a foundation following standards in the 2014 ACA Code for work with individuals and groups of Ethics: across a broad spectrum of wellness and v A.1.a. Primary Responsibility clinical mental health counseling topics. As a result, the reader is introduced to an v A.2. Informed Consent in the exciting new frontier for understanding Counseling Relationship and serving clients more effectively. v A.5. Prohibited Noncounseling Roles Having benefited from neurofeedback and Relationships personally, as well as having been v A.6. Managing and Maintaining taught its principles by skilled counselor Boundaries and Professional practitioners, I am enthusiastic for Relationships all counselors to learn its efficacy and v A.8. Multiple Clients applications.” v A.11. Termination and Referral —Thomas J. Sweeney, PhD v B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity Professor Emeritus, Counselor Education Considerations Ohio University v B.4.b. Couples and Family Counseling v B.5.b. Responsibility to Parents and This text presents current, accessible information on enhancing Legal Guardians the counseling process using a brain-based paradigm. Leading v E.13.c. Client Evaluation Prohibited experts provide guidelines and insights for becoming a skillful v E.13.d. Avoid Potentially Harmful neuroscience-informed counselor, making direct connections Relationships between the material covered and clinical practice. In this much- needed resource—the first to address neurocounseling concepts In addition, check out the following across the counseling curriculum—chapters cover each of the resources: eight common core areas in the 2016 CACREP Standards in v “A practitioner’s guide to ethical decision addition to several specialty areas of the Standards. Detailed case making” by Holly Forester-Miller and studies, questions for reflection, quiz questions, and a glossary Thomas Davis, American Counseling facilitate classroom use. Association (see counseling.org/docs/ethics/ practitioners_guide.pdf) 2017 | 296 pgs | Order #78134 | ISBN 978-1-55620-364-0 v ACA Ethical Standards Casebook, List Price: $62.95 | ACA Member Price: $45.95 seventh edition, by Barbara Herlihy and Please include $8.75 for shipping of the first book Gerald Corey, American Counseling and $1.00 for each additional book. Association v

Joy Natwick is the ethics specialist Order Online: for the American Counseling counseling.org/bookstore Association. Contact her at ethics@ By Phone: 800-347-6647 x222 counseling.org. (M-F 8am – 6pm) Letters to the editor: [email protected]

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