Avoiding exploitive dual relationships: A decision-making model.

Abstract

Ethical principles provide general guidelines for professional behavior. Unfortunately, these principles are not adequate for practical decision-making. One ethical principle which generates frequent consternation is that of avoiding dual relationships. Some models have been developed to address this problem, but they are typically general and not especially helpful when specific ethical dilemmas arise. The principle of avoiding dual relationships is briefly reviewed, and problems with the principle are noted. This article presents a specific decision-making model to avoid exploitive dual relationships; the model's uses and limitations are critically examined. Avoiding dual relationships is an ethical injunction which frequently generates dilemmas for psychologists. Ethical principles provide general guidelines for professional conduct, but often provide little or no specific guidance for practical decision-making. This article reviews the relevant literature and presents a specific decisionmaking model for avoiding exploitive dual relationships. Examples of its use and pertinent limitations are noted.

The intentional mentor: Strategies and guidelines for the practice of mentoring.

“…Further, current ethical decision-making strategies relevant to avoiding harmful multiple relationships appear to be of limited use. For example, Gottlieb (1993) recommended that psychologists avoid entering into multiple roles with others if a significant power imbalance exists, the relationship is of long duration, or there is no clear termination point to the relationship. Of course, mentorships are naturally long-term, inherently power imbalanced, and often exist in perpetuity.…”

Dual Relationships: A Continuum Ranging From the Destructive to the Therapeutic

“…However, in the instance of counselor-client dual relationships, many suggest that the codes lack clarity and, in some instances, are impractical, at best, and counterproductive, at worst (Gabbard, 1994a;Gottlieb, 1993;Lazarus, 1994;Sonne, Dual Relationships: A Continuum 1994 Although the consensus regarding sex with current clients seems straightforward, the guidelines regarding postcounseling sexual relationships vary among the professional organizations. Before 1992, neither ACA nor APA proscribed posttermination sexual relationships.…”

Questioning the “Slippery Slope”: Ethical Beliefs and Behaviors of Private Office‐Based and Church‐Based Therapists

“…In response to these concerns, varying degrees of restriction are offered as guidelines (see Gottlieb, 1993;Gross & Robinson, 1987;Keith-Spiegel & Koocher, 1985;Kitchener, 1988). All of these echo concern over potential harm; however, Kitchener takes the most rigid stance, arguing that the risk is too great to allow for latitude.…”