What should Carol do?

1. A Jumble of Questions Should I quit the church council? Is this client stalking me? Does my informed consent agreement address this? Do our public encounters harm the client? What do the laws and codes require me to do? Have I been clear about my expectations with the client? Have I addressed this in session in a way the client understands? Can I reasonably control this problem? How do I protect the confidentiality of the client, her family, others? What should Carol do? Is this client experiencing transference? Can I avoid client in public? Am I able to change this client’s behaviors? Are my expectations of privacy reasonable in my small town? Will I begin to resent this client if I can’t stop her behavior? Am I experiencing countertransference? How would I handle this with any other client? How do other professionals in my town handle this problem? Am I setting firm boundaries? If not, why not? Should I terminate this client? Who do I refer her to? Who can I consult with about this problem?

2. Is the encounter beneficial or harmful to the client? What should Carol do? Encounter is Beneficial Encounter is Harmful Can I reasonably address the problem through my own actions? Am I uncomfortable with boundaries? Yes No Readdress boundaries with client No Yes Avoid client in public settings Consult with other professionals Consult with other professionals Remind about informed consent Do nothing Roleplay how to interact with client Resign from church council Terminate & Refer Roleplay how to interact with client Remind about informed consent Discuss with client & document decision to terminate & refer Document how decision to resign avoids harming client Document decision to readdress boundaries Document decision to do nothing Document decision to readdress boundaries