...Boundary Setting Skills: Essential for a Successful Social Worker Latanya Griffin Kaplan University CM107-45 Professor Stoff April 14, 2014 Many professionals enter into the field of social work to help others grow and improve their life circumstance. Those who are preparing for a career as a social worker need to possess the ability and skill of professional boundary setting. It.is important that a social worker maintain the capacity to set boundaries and accept the limits of what can be accomplished in a certain amount of time. Establishing boundaries and setting milestones and goals can help set expectable exceptions to the many challenges a social worker may face. It is crucial that social workers understand the limits of their knowledge and not work beyond them. Having a cutoff point not only protect the safety of the client, it also protect the social worker integrity and ethical principles. Social workers should work for the good of the patient to the best of their ability and avoid doing anything to abuse the patient physically, emotionally or ethically. There have been many complaints filed against social works resulting in imposed fines, penalties, licensure sanctions, suspension, or revocation. In some instances, workers could be imprisoned for inappropriate abuse of a client. (Dietz & Thompson, 2004) offered the concern about the effects of power differential between client and social worker. Boundary setting ensures that the use of a social...
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...Professional Boundaries in a Healthcare Setting Professional boundaries are the defining lines which separate the therapeutic behavior of a registered nurse from any behavior that could reduce the benefit of nursing care to clients, well intentioned or not (as cited in Fronek et al., 2009). Paavillainen & Astedt-Kurki (1997) state that each nurse "ensures that the nurse-client relationship is a therapeutic relationship" and "maintains appropriate boundaries in all interactions with clients at all times" (p. 138). Nurses must maintain their professional boundaries and be aware of events or situations that may threaten them. They should have limitations in their scope of practice. It is staying within their role by refraining from personal involvement with a patient. As nurses, they are limited by their duties and activities as defined by their job scope, so it is very important for them to understand their job description (Gutheil, 2008). The concept of professional boundaries is so important to psychiatric nursing because the health and well being of patients depends upon a collaborative effort between the nurse and the patient (Muskin & Epstein, 2009). It is the nurse’s professional responsibility to understand the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, to establish the relationship, and to maintain the relationship within therapeutic boundaries. Nurses must understand the differences between a therapeutic relationship and a social or personal relationship (Paavillainen...
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...Fogel Challenges of Being an Advocate and Neutral Facilitator In some circumstances an advocate or mediator may face the potential of a dual relationship in which said advocate or mediator most likely will face ethical, moral, and legal challenges. Dual relationships occur when professionals assume two roles simultaneously or sequentially with an individual seeking assistance (Guthmann, Heines, & Kolvitz, n.d.). Dual relationships include sexual intimacy with a client and (or) providing the service to a friend or relative. Within this paper an exploration of the ethical, moral, and legal challenges advocates and mediators may face regarding dual relationships will occur. A personal opinion concerning the integration of advocacy and mediation within the human services field will also be presented as well as a personal philosophy and approach to advocating and mediating within a child welfare agency setting. Challenges of Dual Relationships An advocate or mediator offering friendship or love to a client outside the purview of his or her duties, or if the exchanges goods or services with a client has occurred, indicates professional boundaries have been violated and a dual relationship has been formed (Mediation Council of Illinois, 1999). A Dual relationship is considered a conflict of interest and crosses the ethical boundaries issues set forth in most advocacy and mediation code of ethics. Advocates and mediators should respect clients’ integrity and protect the well-being...
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...Dual Associations Dual relationships are subtypes connected with boundary bridging. Psychologists training in non-urban and little communities knowledge numerous inevitable dual relationships for the duration of their every day lives. The one who bags groceries inside supermarket, pushes gas, works within a dentist's business office or chaperones youngsters on university field excursions may usually also be the therapist's purchaser. Relationships in such small communities can get even more technical when persons choose their therapists since they know them but not because they will saw their ad inside Yellow Pages. A therapist's fellow congregation new member, teammate within a local sports activities league or car dealership may just about...
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...It is important to note that effective and ethical communication is different. For instance, a charismatic leader such as a politician has the ability to appeal to the emotions of the masses, but if the truth is exaggerated or hidden, this cannot be referred to as ethical communication. It is only effective. Ethical communication includes what is said as well as what is not said, hence the need to act as one preaches and correction of false impressions. Throughout human history, unethical communication has been portrayed as a powerful weapon of destruction. It has ruined interpersonal relationships, been used to support greed, corruption, oppression and tyranny within institutions as well as starting and fuelling economic injustice, violence and war, genocide and tribal conflicts among other social evils [ (Makau, 2009) ]. Ethical communication has also been shown to foster human relationships, foster truth, honesty and peace, hence understanding and peace. This shows the power that communication holds, more so, ethical communication. Being a topic that covers a wide range in everyday life, there are numerous approaches...
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...Dual Relationship Mieisha Marshall, Alicia, Sara Cofield, and Candy Ladd Psych/545 November 17, 2014 Sharlie Hazen Introduction Making ethical decisions in the field of psychology can be very difficult especially when you are in the business of counseling. You have to worry about your client’s crossing that boundary while trying to escape a dual relationship. For instance, the scenario that was chosen by our group consist of a close friend of yours is having difficulty with her teenage daughter. She knows you are a psychologist who specialize in adolescents. She ask if you would be willing to help her daughter for a few sessions to straighten her out. You ask yourself, what should be done during this current situation. For one, the therapist and the client’s mother are friends. The client’s mother may be become too dependable on the therapist to fix the problem. In this paper, we will find the best approach for a dual relationship. Ethical issues involving dual relationships will be examined to clarify and analyze the relationship that the therapist and the client’s mom have. Therapist face many challenges in everyday life and in this paper, we will discuss challenges one may face in professional psychology. Concept of Dual Relationship When a therapist engages in more than one relationship with a client it is then classified as a dual or multiple relationship. If a therapist assumes a secondary role with a client like that of an employer, teacher, family member...
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...When it comes to boundaries, it is imperative for counselors to set and know their boundaries with their clients. Boundary issues mostly refer to the therapist's self-disclosure, touch, exchange of gifts, bartering and fees, length and location of sessions and contact outside the office (Guthiel & Gabbard, 1993). In any professional relationship there is an inherent power imbalance. The therapist’s power arises from the client’s trust that the therapist has the expertise to help with his or her problems, and the client’s disclosure of personal information that would not normally be revealed. The fact that services cannot be provided unless clients are willing to cooperate, does not change the fundamental power imbalance (Gutheil, T. G., & Gabbard, G. 1998). Therefore, the therapist has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the client, and is ultimately responsible for managing boundary issues and is therefore, accountable should violations occur (Gutheil, T. G., & Gabbard, G. 1998). Given the power imbalance that is inherent in the professional/client relationship, clients may find it difficult to negotiate boundaries or to recognize or defend themselves against boundary violations. As well, clients may be unaware of the need for professional boundaries and therefore, may at times even initiate behavior or make requests that could constitute boundary violations. According to Lazarus & Zur, “A boundary violation occurs when a therapist crosses the line of decency and...
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...in a clinical setting also severely violated her boundaries by over disclosing her personal information instead of solely treating the patient (Levett-Jones 2018). Even though sharing person information can be effective in showing empathy and realness to the patient to decrease their anxiety (Simon 2017), in this case, the information which was shared did not aid in the patient’s wellbeing or clinical treatment. Instead, the nurse should have been aware of her boundaries and kept within them to maintain professionality, respect and trust. By only addressing relevant information key to Sandra’s treatment, she would have avoided this boundary crossing which would have thus prevented the patient-nurse relationship from being affected. Once affected, the relationship between them may have also been irreversibly damaged (Simon 2017). Furthermore, the nurse should have been consistently psychologically self-aware (ie empathetic) of how any events occurring outside the healthcare setting could have affected her wellbeing (Cooklin, Lucas, Strazdins, Westrupp, Giallo, Canterford & Nicholson 2013). For instance, the patient could have been experiencing maternal separation anxiety which could have heightened her feelings of anxiety by being separated from her two children (Cooklin et al. 2013), and instead of the nurse focussing on these underlying issues, she chose to reverse the patient-nurse role and focus on...
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...How Boundaries are established within CBT 1. Through Contract Setting References from: Contracts in Counselling edited by Charlotte Sills Cognitive-Behavioural Counselling in Action Peter Trower, Andrew Casey and Windy Dryden. Both from Sage Publishing. As a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist I would look at setting up and establishing certain boundaries through the contract, by giving a detailed explanation of the negotiation of Boundary Conditions and the need for this as part of the therapeutic work. The Boundary Conditions being, my client and myself setting out and agreeing on a set of ground rules for future sessions. This would take place within the initial stage of ‘getting started’ A contract often known in CBT as ‘a rolling contract’ written in the first instance would generally be set out with such things to be included as: Number of Sessions – I would suggest of a block of six to ten initially as I like a stricter, clearer guide to this issue. Frequency of Sessions –Which would generally be weekly Length of Sessions – 50 minutes, I hold the belief that by sticking to allotted number, frequency and length helps ensure I don’t get drawn in to unhelpful games or non-legitimate relationships. Agenda Setting – Introducing the idea of ‘agenda’ for future sessions, which is useful for my client, to help know what to expect, also so as...
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...Dual Relationships and Social Work ABSTRACT When working a in professional setting and dealing with clients, there should be boundaries that every professional employee should abide by. Shared values are essential in the creating a successful relationship between the client and social worker. Social workers operate within society, not only to assist the individual but to create a more cohesive society. Values and ethics permeate the whole of social work practice and the society within which it practices (Shardlow 1989). Values are afforded a high position within social work, this is highlighted in: “Social work is a professional activity. Implicit in its practice are ethical principles which prescribe the professional responsibility of the social worker” (British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Code of Ethics). However, there is a danger in any created list of values, however well meaning becoming something quote as opposed to a useful tool for practice. Values can be helpful in contemporary practice as they enable the social worker to analyze their practice in relation to the expectations of the law and the needs of the people they work with. Nursing is one of the most trusted professions in the community. This means that nurses are trusted to enter into therapeutic relationships that adhere to the concept of patient care physically, mentally and ethically. The therapeutic relationship that is created is built on the professional knowledge and skills of...
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...Running head: CRITIQUE OF THEORY A Theory Critique: Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend Linda Mario Liberty University Summary: Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend The determinants of marital heartache are diverse. Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend address boundaries that have sustained multiple marriages and have advocated for the happiness between married couples. When one reads the title, he or she might think the boundaries the authors are trying to set in marriages are on their spouse but “Boundaries are not something you “set on” another person. Boundaries are about yourself” (Cloud & Townsend, 1999, p. 28). The focal points of this book include theories about boundaries, values, resolving conflict, and keeping God in a marriage. Cloud and Townsend (1999) explain that boundaries in marriage is fundamentally about love; prompting, growing, developing, and repairing the love (p.9). John 4:16 states “love is at the heart of marriage, as it is at the heart of God himself” (p.9). Cloud & Townsend (1999) present boundaries in different ways through words, truth, consequences, emotional distance, physical distance, other people and time. The descriptions of these points are crucial pieces in Cloud and Townsend’s theory. An individual’s language and words assist in defining who he or she is as a person and “what you believe, what you want, and what you don’t” (Cloud & Townsend...
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...Jesus demonstrates setting healthy boundaries when he takes time from ministering to the people to pray and rest. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds and His disciples to be alone. These solitary moments are a significant illustration of Jesus setting boundaries. Everywhere He went there were crowds of people who sought His attention. Jesus recognized that in order to accomplish His mission here on earth time alone was necessary. Jesus made it a priority to go to an isolated area where no one else was. He needed to draw strength from His Father to be strong spiritually and mentally. These times are also important for us as Christians. Our lives have become exceedingly hectic and it is essential to slow down, and replenish ourselves....
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...1 Ideas on how the first- and second order cybernetic approaches can be integrated in a complementary way. 10 Question 1 1.1 First order cybernetic principles. First order cybernetics, also known as simple cybernetics, endeavours to place the individual outside of the system, to act as an observer. The individual is not seen as part of the system or in any way linked to the actions of the system. By doing this the individual tries to identify the members of the system, their characteristics, their interactional patterns as well as the boundaries which have been formed by the rules and roles within the system. Furthermore, simple cybernetics is based on the following basic principles: Recursion refers to the assumption where the focus is not on the individual but on the events and interactions between individuals within the system, therefore referring to their relationships and the various issues around these relationships. Feedback, which can be seen as a feature of recursion, and which according to Becvar & Becvar (2014) involves ‘self-correlation’. This refers to a process where information regarding past behaviour, as well as its impact on the system is reiterated back to the...
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... Henry Cloud and John Townsed’s book, Boundaries in marriage (1999), builds off of other works that the authors have penned together on the topic of creating Godly boundaries in relationships. The authors premise their work on the belief that clearly delineated boundaries are essential both for the health of the individual establishing the boundaries and the health of the relationship that the boundary has been established in. Boundaries are described as a “personal property line” that “promote love by protecting individuals” (Cloud & Townsend, 1999, p.10). Some people struggle with establishing boundaries particularly people with poor developmental histories and people who have grown up in households where loose boundaries esxisted. Often times establishing boundaries is difficult for Christians who have a sense of sacrificing their own personal needs and desires for the needs and desires of others. Cloud and Townsend maintain that boundaries are Godly and that they are a critical component necessary for an indivual to establish their identity and self-worth. People with no boundaries are vulnerable to being taken advantage of and that is not God’s desire. Cloud and Townsend demonstrate that boundaries can be utilized to assist with spiritual growth, personal growth and are critical components involved in healing relationships. Boundaries can be physical boundaries, mental boundaries, emotional boundaries or spiritual boundaries and they can be set through using words...
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... Never the less, it is also important to discuss confidentiality and establish boundaries with the client so they know that their privacy hold value and also the limits of what is confidential. Letting our “self” negatively to be part of the impact with our client relationships can interfere with the process and also the possibility of imposing our values and also in becoming incompetent. We can use our “self” in positive ways such as becoming self-aware of the client’s values, culture and also feelings. We can learn about who they are in order to pursue positive effects and also learn about ourselves in the...
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