Human Relations

1. Human Relations What are some of your major motivations for you wanting to become a counselor? �What do you personally get from doing counseling?� In what sense can a career in counseling be a �hazardous profession?�

2. Questions How does the stress of professional practice impact the counselor�s personal life? What are the ethical issues here? What are some of your concerns about your ability to cope with the stresses associated with being a professional?

3. Questions How do unresolved personal conflicts affect the counselor�s ability to work with clients? For those counselors who are reluctant to seek therapy for themselves, what do you think might account for this reluctance?

4. The Counselor as a Person and as a Professional Counselors must be aware of the influence of their own personalities and needs Personal needs of counselors based on unresolved personal conflicts: A need to tell people what to do A desire to take away all pain from clients A need to have all the answers and to be perfect A need to be recognized and appreciated A tendency to assume too much responsibility for the changes of clients A fear of doing harm, however inadvertently

5. Stress in the Counseling Profession Counseling can be a hazardous profession Some Sources of stress for counselors are: Feeling they are not helping their clients The tendency to accept full responsibility for client�s progress Feeling a pressure to quickly solve the problems of clients Having extremely high personal goals and perfectionistic strivings

6. Counselor Impairment Impaired counselors have lost the ability to resolve stressful events and are not able to function professionally Shared characteristics of impaired counselors: Fragile self-esteem Difficulty establishing intimacy in one�s personal life Professional isolation A need to rescue clients A need for reassurance about one�s attractiveness Substance abuse

7. Maintaining Vitality as a Counselor Counselors are often not prepared to maintain their vitality Sustaining the personal self is an ethical obligation Personal vitality is a prerequisite to function in the professional role Main challenge is to create a balanced life in these areas: Spirituality Work and leisure Love Self direction Friendship

8. Questions cont What are the reasons that ethics codes caution practitioners against engaging in a dual/multiple relationship? When is bartering problematic?

9. Questions cont. Is it appropriate for you to give your clients gifts? Is it appropriate for you to receive gifts from your client? Why What are the harmful effects of sexual intimacy on clients?

10. Dual and Multiple Relationships Identified measures aimed at minimizing the risks: Set healthy boundaries from the outset Secure informed consent of clients Discuss both potential risks and benefits Consult with other professionals to resolve any dilemmas Seek supervision when needed Document in clinical case notes Examine your motivations Refer when necessary

11. Accepting gifts Questions to consider in making a decision of whether or not to accept gifts from the client What is the monetary value of the gift? What are the clinical implications of accepting or rejecting the gift? When in the therapy process is the offering of a gift occurring? What are the therapist�s motivations for accepting or rejecting a client�s gift? What are the cultural implications of offering a gift?

12. Recommendations Prior to Establishing a Bartering Relationship Evaluate whether it puts you at risk of impaired professional judgment Determine the value of goods or services in a collaborative fashion Determine the appropriate length of time for arrangement Consult with experienced colleagues

13. Bartering Additional guidelines to clarify bartering arrangements Minimize unique financial arrangements If bartering is used, it is better to exchange goods rather than services Both therapist and client should have a written agreement for the compensation by bartering

14. Signs of Unhealthy Professional Boundaries I. Intimacy distortions Falling in love with client Parentification of client II. Inadequate boundaries Not noticing boundary invasion Over-responsible for client Over-involvement and identification with client Role confusion/reversal Inappropriate touch Being manipulated by client�s unreasonable demands Responding to inappropriate personal questions Acting on sexual attraction

15. Types of Sexual Abuse in Psychotherapy Sexual touch as therapy Exploring sexual identity Becoming romantically involved Brief loss of control

16. Suggestions on How Therapists can Deal with Sexual Attraction Clients Acknowledge the feelings Explore the reasons for attraction Never act on feelings Seek out experienced colleague or supervisor for consultation Seek personal counseling if necessary Monitor boundaries by setting clear limits If unable to resolve feelings, terminate the relationship and refer

17. Continuum of Sexual Contact Between Counselor and Client Psychological abuse The client is put in the position of becoming caretaker of counselor�s needs Covert abuse The counselor intrudes into client�s intimacy boundaries by sexual hugging, professional voyeurism, sexual gazes, over attention to client�s dress and appearance, or seductive behavior Overt forms of sexual misconduct Counselor initiates or allows sexual remarks, passionate kissing, fondling, sexual intercourse, oral or anal sex, or sexual penetration with objects