Assignment Task:
Multiple Relationships
According to Cottone's (2005) interpretation of ethical codes for mental health professionals, there is a total prohibition on sexual relationships with current clients. For former clients, the ban on involvement ranges upward from 2 years after ending professional services. There is full agreement that therapist-client sexual relations are inappropriate. Cottone reports on research demonstrating that such relationships, in fact, are damaging to clients. The author emphasizes that there is no justification for sexual relations with current or recent clients. He concludes that therapists should not become sexually involved with former clients, unless they are willing to undergo serious professional scrutiny.
Barrett, Casey, Visser, and Headley (2012) review some of the reports of teachers being disciplined by school districts and/or the courts for inappropriate social behaviors. They discuss the recent focus in the popular media on sexual harassment of students by teachers and intimate relationships between teachers and students.
A more recent concern is the potential for social networking to result in boundary-crossings. The specific concern is intimate teacher-student relationships. For example, in October 2014, the 57-year-old former girls' soccer coach for a Connecticut high school was arrested and charged with obscenity, risk of injury to a minor, and breach of peace after sending a Snapchat photo of himself masturbating to members of his team (Glasspiegal, 2014). Barrett, et al. (2012) complain of the failure of professional education associations to develop and adopt a code of conduct for teachers. This code should be principle-based, prescriptive, and enforceable-- like the codes of other professions. At this point, the restrictions for teachers are limited to such statements as the need to refrain from intentionally embarrassing or disparaging a student. Situations can arise that require a teacher or other professional to make ethical judgments even when there is no code guiding them.
References:
Barrett, D. E., Casey, J. E., Visser, R. D., & Headley, K. N. (2012). How do teachers make judgments about ethical and unethical behaviors? Toward the development of a code of conduct for teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education, 28(6), 890-898.
Cottone, R. R. (2005). Detrimental therapist-client relationships-Beyond thinking of "dual" or "multiple" roles: Reflections on the 2001 AAMFT Code of Ethics. American Journal of Family Therapy, 33(1), 1-17.
Glasspiegel, R. (2014, October 16). High school girls' soccer coach arrested for Snapchatting obscene video to students on team. USA Today Sports.
Instructions:
For this assignment, imagine you are a tutor hired to help 8-year-old Carl Saunders with his schoolwork. Two years ago, one of Carl's parents died in a car accident, and recently, his academic performance has declined. As a third grader, Carl finds school challenging, and you have been tutoring him at his home three times a week for the past three months. You feel that Carl's need for tutoring has decreased, but his remaining parent, Logan Saunders, wants you to continue. Over time, you have developed a bond with Carl, and you and Logan have become friendly, with a mutual attraction becoming apparent.
This situation may or may not violate any ethical standards, but such attractions are not uncommon. For example, Johansson et al. (2016) suggest that intimacy, attraction, love, and even sexual relationships can occur in various social contexts. According to Gorman (2009), many states have restrictions on sexual relationships with former clients within 1, 2, or up to 5 years after treatment ends, and some extend these restrictions to other healthcare professionals. While psychologists and other professionals are bound by ethical standards and state laws, as a tutor, you are not required to adhere to the APA ethical standards.
As Carl's tutor, analyze the appropriateness of pursuing a potential relationship with Logan. In your analysis, address the following:
Discuss what you believe is the appropriate course of action in your role as a tutor, considering that there are likely no state laws or ethical codes governing your behavior with Logan. Need Assignment Help?
Consider whether you should end your tutoring relationship with Carl before beginning a relationship with Logan, and if so, how long you should wait. Alternatively, explain why you might decide not to pursue a relationship with Logan at all.
Assess whether a romantic relationship between you and Logan could cause harm, taking into account the perspectives of all three parties involved: you, Logan, and Carl.
Conclude with supportive research on the concept of multiple relationships in varying settings.
Reference: Support your analysis with at least three peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles. In addition to these, you may include other appropriate scholarly sources. Credible websites such as .org, .mil, .gov, and .edu are acceptable, however, cannot serve as primary sources to support this assignment.
Length: 5-7 pages, not including title and reference pages
Your assignment should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA 7th edition standards.