LEARN MORE...

PSY 570 GCU Dual and Multiple Role Relationships Paper

Content type

User Generated

Subject

Psychology

School

Grand Canyon University

Course

PSY 570

Type

Discussion

Uploaded By

fcevbfzvare2011

Pages

Showing Page:

1/4

Dual and Multiple Role

Relationships

Stephanie P. Martinez

July 5, 2020

Showing Page:

2/4

Dual and Multiple Role Relationships

Dual Relationship

A dual relationship is any situation where two or more connections exist between a

therapist and a client or individual, thus a therapist is participating in two role categories

(Kitchener, 1986, as cited in Gottlieb, 1993). A therapist is, therefore, in a professional

relationship with the individual as well as some other relationship with that individual such as a

friend, student, or business associate, for example (Carrol et al., as cited in Gottlieb, 1993). Dual

role relationships can occur simultaneously or concurrently (Kitchener, 1986, as cited in

Gottlieb, 1993). An example of a dual relationship is when a therapist also takes on the role of an

expert witness in court testifying about a psycholegal question regarding his client, who is a sex

offender. A conflict of interest occurs here between the therapist’s obligation to serve his client

and the adversary -- the court, which can involve certain ramifications for the therapist and the

client. The therapist in this case may not be practicing within her scope of practice if she does

not have the legal knowledge necessary to testify as an expert witness. There is also a risk of

harm to the offender, her client, in which his welfare and autonomy are affected, and even

members of the public (Ward, 2013). This situation may constitute an ethical violation.

The Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology states that forensic practitioners should

have knowledge of the legal system as well as individual legal rights (Guideline 2.04). Further

Ward (2013) stresses the importance of proceeding with caution to avoid dual relationships such

as this and to seek advice from colleagues or other forensic practitioners.

Multiple Role Relationship

A multiple role relationship exists when a therapist is in a professional role with a person

while at the same time in a different role with that same person, is in a relationship with someone

Showing Page:

3/4

End of Preview - Want to read all 4 pages?

Access Now

Unformatted Attachment Preview

1 Dual and Multiple Role Relationships Stephanie P. Martinez July 5, 2020 2 Dual and Multiple Role Relationships Dual Relationship A dual relationship is any situation where two or more connections exist between a therapist and a client or individual, thus a therapist is participating in two role categories (Kitchener, 1986, as cited in Gottlieb, 1993). A therapist is, therefore, in a professional relationship with the individual as well as some other relationship with that individual such as a friend, student, or business associate, for example (Carrol et al., as cited in Gottlieb, 1993). Dual role relationships can occur simultaneously or concurrently (Kitchener, 1986, as cited in Gottlieb, 1993). An example of a dual relationship is when a therapist also takes on the role of an expert witness in court testifying about a psycholegal question regarding his client, who is a sex offender. A conflict of interest occurs here between the therapist’s obligation to serve his client and the adversary -- the court, which can involve certain ramifications for the therapist and the client. The therapist in this case may not be practicing within her scope of practice if she does not hav ...
Purchase document to see full attachment

Tags: dual relationship therapist and a client psycholegal question Multiple Role Relationship ethical principles