The healthy provider

According to a major study, the most common complaint made by clients against licensed counselors, psychologists, and social workers involved violations of boundaries (Phelan, 2007). In most cases, when a licensed therapist was disciplined by an ethics board, it was due to the therapist engaging in an inappropriately intimate relationship with a client. Other types of boundary violations included entering into other forms of dual relationships with clients, such as business relationships or friendships.

For this week’s discussion read both the section on ethics in your textbook along with the the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics from your module readings. In doing so pay particular attention to “Section A: The Counseling Relationship,” in which you will find code “A.5. Prohibited Non Counseling Roles and Relationships.” Based on your readings respond to the following:

Discuss at least three ways a counselor might demonstrate poor boundaries with a client. Provide examples to illustrate each form of boundary violation.

How could such boundary violations negatively affect a client?

Write your initial response in a minimum of 200 words.