Dual Relationships
Dual Relationships and Boundaries
Dual relationships are defined as both therapeutic and personal relations that occur between a client and professional therapist (Pope & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). Although they are relatively easy to define, it also can be difficult for professionals to recognize that a dual relationship has occurred in his or her practice. When a therapist does enter another noticeably different relationship with a client, a dual relationship has occurred (Pope, 1997). Some of the most common types of dual relationships that do occur in this field include second roles in social, financial, or professional manners. Concerning some interactions with the therapist and his or her clients, the relationships may become slightly more than professional. When the two roles are apparently sequential rather than clearly concurrent it does not mean that the two relationships do not constitute a dual relationship (Pope, 1997). Most of the important relationships that may happen in each individual’s lives have at least some sort-of carry over (Pope & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). The dual relationships that do occur in the psychotherapy field often jeopardize the process of therapy, professional decisions, and patient welfare.
Possible Harm in Dual Relationships There are a few major difficulties that may happen in the psychological field with dual relationships. First, the dual relationship erodes and distorts the professional nature of therapeutic relationships (Pope, 1997). The professional therapeutic relationship is secured within a reliable set of boundaries on which both the therapist and the patient can depend. When those lines are crossed, the crucial professional nature of the therapeutic relationship is compromised (Pope, 1997). It is important to stress that terming the therapeutic relationships “professional” does not imply that the interactions between therapist and client have to be distant, unfeeling, cold, uncaring, or
Dual relationships are defined as both therapeutic and personal relations that occur between a client and professional therapist (Pope & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). Although they are relatively easy to define, it also can be difficult for professionals to recognize that a dual relationship has occurred in his or her practice. When a therapist does enter another noticeably different relationship with a client, a dual relationship has occurred (Pope, 1997). Some of the most common types of dual relationships that do occur in this field include second roles in social, financial, or professional manners. Concerning some interactions with the therapist and his or her clients, the relationships may become slightly more than professional. When the two roles are apparently sequential rather than clearly concurrent it does not mean that the two relationships do not constitute a dual relationship (Pope, 1997). Most of the important relationships that may happen in each individual’s lives have at least some sort-of carry over (Pope & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). The dual relationships that do occur in the psychotherapy field often jeopardize the process of therapy, professional decisions, and patient welfare.
Possible Harm in Dual Relationships There are a few major difficulties that may happen in the psychological field with dual relationships. First, the dual relationship erodes and distorts the professional nature of therapeutic relationships (Pope, 1997). The professional therapeutic relationship is secured within a reliable set of boundaries on which both the therapist and the patient can depend. When those lines are crossed, the crucial professional nature of the therapeutic relationship is compromised (Pope, 1997). It is important to stress that terming the therapeutic relationships “professional” does not imply that the interactions between therapist and client have to be distant, unfeeling, cold, uncaring, or
References: Pope, K. (1991). Dual relationships in psychotherapy. Ethics & Behavior, 1(1), 21. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Pope, K. S., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). Dual relationships, multiple relationships, & boundary decisions. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 638-652. Strohm-Kitchner, K. (1988). Dual role relationships: what makes them so problematic? Journal of Counseling and Development, 67, 217-221.