Problem:
If a client who is terminating asks to start a social relationship or friendship, I think it's important to talk to them about what that would mean or look like to them. I would like to understand why they want to continue the relationship in a social way after termination. Questions I would want to try and answer are: has an attachment formed? Are they afraid of losing support?, etc. Need Assignment Help?
From an ethical view, I think some of my main concerns would be surrounding multiple relationships, power imbalance, and the possibility that the client may go back to a place where they need counseling again after termination. In the last case, I would no longer be able to provide counseling since we had developed a friendship after the initial termination. I would also be concerned that becoming friends with a former client could create a power imbalance in the friendship due to our past therapeutic relationship.
I think in this scenario, I would start by explaining that, because of the counseling relationship we've had, it's not appropriate to move into a social relationship, even if therapy has ended. I would also want to try and explore how the client handles endings and boundaries in their other relationships, and help them process the feelings they have surrounding termination.
Bartering
If a client suggested bartering as a way to continue therapy after they lost their job, I think it's important to try and approach the situation sensitively. I would want to acknowledge their stress and try to validate how hard it is to lose both your income and source of support simultaneously. I would then try to explain why bartering can become unethical, bringing up examples, such as the one in Chapter 7 about how one side of the deal can start to feel resentment and as though they're contributing more than the other person and getting too little in return. I wouldn't immediately rule it out since the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) states, "Counselors may barter only if the relationship is not exploitive or harmful and does not place the counselor in an unfair advantage, if the client requests it, and if such arrangements are an accepted practice among professionals in the community. Counselors consider the cultural implications of bartering and discuss relevant concerns with clients and document such agreements in a clear written contract". Though, it is crucial to consider the cultural implications and clearly write out and have both parties sign an agreement if bartering is decided on.
Sexual Attractions
If a client told me that they find me sexually attractive, I think it's important to stay calm and non-judgmental. On the more clinical side of things, I would try to explore further with the client what they think that attraction comes from (a need for closeness, validation, connection, etc.). Before doing this, I would also make sure to clearly re-discuss the boundaries of our counseling relationship.
Ethically, sexual or romantic relationships with clients are strictly not allowed, and as the counselors it's our responsibility to maintain those boundaries. If I didn't find this person attractive, I would continue therapy while addressing the client's disclosure unless it begins to hinder the client's progress. In that case I would refer them to a new counselor. In the case that I also feel attraction for the client, I would have a long talk with my supervisor to help evaluate whether I can still ethically counsel the client, and if not then I would also refer them.
References:
Corey, G., Corey, M.S.,& Corey, C., 2019, Issues and Ethics In Helping Professions, 10th Edition, Cengage Learning.
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics.
My question is, reply to a post to the student.