Tips for staying within bounds

CrossCurrents

Create a model or chart comparing the similarities and differences between a friendship and a client/professional relationship. “For example, there’s usually an equality in a friendship with an open duration, while in a client relationship it’s time-limited,” says Mary Valentich, professor emeritus at the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. “Compare the power levels in each relationship and the scheduled aspect [professionals see clients during set appointments]. If you can think their way through the differences, that can help guide you.”
“We encourage using good professional judgment rather than simply memorizing and adhering to a particular code of ethics,” says James Gripton, professor emeritus in the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. That means thinking the situation thorough to help determine what’s most critical – is there a violation or is that overridden by a more pressing need for help? If you’re a hospital psychologist and your daughter’s teacher comes in on a suicide attempt, the life-threatening behaviour is likely more pressing than the threat of a dual relationship, says Gripton.
Health care professionals agree that creating a support system for yourself is important. Have a colleague or supervisor with whom to talk things over. They don’t necessarily have to be in the same town – a phone call away works.
“If you’re working for an agency or practice or in a hospital, it’s a good idea to establish some sort of ethical response procedure or guideline,” says Jo-Ann Vis, a social worker and lecturer at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. “That includes some protocol that would respect one code of ethics or some kind of policy manual. It would also have some strategies for response when an ethical issue is identified and would really identify some codes of conduct in black and white.”
Stay current, advises Vis. “Make sure you register for professional training workshops where you’re challenged to think about these ethical dilemmas. Read articles around the issues.”
A good rule of thumb: Can you record it? “If you can’t record it anywhere – the relationship and what’s happening – there’s something going on,” says Valentich. “If you can’t write it down on the client’s record, there’s a problem. We’ve noticed that where codes have been broken, people haven’t kept records.”