Assignment:
APA style
300 words
Peer review
Yolanda Brandon
As professionals, we strive to be ethical in all areas of therapy and the therapeutic relationship. There are situations that can arise and cause harm to our clients, to our professional standing, and to the profession in general if not handled properly.
Your client is feeling attracted to you, and you feel the same way about them. First, as a professional, you can gently acknowledge your feelings internally without sharing them with the client. It's natural for us and our clients to experience emotions. During a therapeutic session where a client is opening up about their feelings, it's important to be mindful of how these emotions might influence your own reactions. Remember to follow the APA code of ethics, specifically section A.5.c., which discusses "Prohibited Non-counseling Roles and Relationships" (APA 2024). When in doubt, it's always a good idea to consult with your supervisor, and in some cases, referring the client to another counselor might be the best choice for their well-being. If you find yourself feeling something special toward your client and aren't sure whether they feel the same, it's important to maintain your professional boundaries.
There is a power difference in the therapeutic relationship. We cannot risk harming our clients. Remember, sharing or acting on personal feelings isn't appropriate in this context. Our goal is to foster a safe and respectful therapeutic environment for everyone. If you ever feel your objectivity is being compromised, it might be best to refer the client to another qualified therapist. As always, it's essential to adhere to the APA code of ethics, specifically section 10.08, which states that psychologists should not engage in sexual activities with former clients or patients for at least two years after therapy has ended(APA 2024).
Even as a counselor, if your client shows attraction towards you and you don't feel the same way, remember that they might be feeling vulnerable. When clients open up and share their deepest feelings, it's natural for a bond to form, which can sometimes lead to romantic feelings. As a caring professional, it's important to gently discourage any inappropriate feelings. You can acknowledge their emotions as a normal part of the transference process without encouraging them, and then kindly guide the conversation back to your therapeutic goals. According to the APA Code of Ethics 3.05, a therapist should avoid any relationships that could impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness or that might exploit the client (APA 2024).
If these feelings get in the way of progress or cause discomfort, don't hesitate to bring them up in supervision and consider referring the client to another counselor. Need Assignment Help?
References:
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. aca-code-of-ethics