FCC

Foundations of Communication and Counseling

Foundations of Communication and Counseling

Introduction

The following pages will answer the question regarding the case study provided. Issue related to the dual relationships and professional boundaries will be addressed.

Discussion

Issues around Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships

Issues around Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships for Natural Medicine Practitioners Maintaining boundaries are one of the many important practices that a medicine practitioner should be caring about in his profession. The medicine practitioners should be careful about the boundary crossings. This includes minor, as well as, significant boundary crossings. Minor boundary crossings include a departure from what the widespread practice is. Major boundary crossings include large unethical departures from what the usual practice is. A practitioner should try to avoid getting into the minor or major boundary crossings (Morrissey & Reddy pp. 89, 2006). It is a customary practice that a minor boundary crossing leads to major boundary crossings. This is known as the Slippery Slope.

Not Understanding What Constitutes Multiple Relationships

One of the major issues that the medical practitioners face is the difficulty in managing the multiple relationships and not understanding what should be given priority. The medicine practitioner needs to understand that whose needs are being met y his actions and priorities. It is important that the practitioners avoid such relationships which affect their professional responsibilities.

Fear of Hurting Clients

One of the biggest issues that the medicine practitioners face in the dual relationships is the fear of losing the client as an acceptance, offer or decline of the relationships. This can not only hurt the client, but can also hurt the professionals and the institution (Lazarus, pp. 192-196, 2002).

Exploitation of Clients

Dual relationships can also lead to the exploitation of clients, which is something that is against the law.

Clients Crossing the Boundaries

It happens in many cases that the patients visiting the medicine practitioners tend to violate the boundaries, either on purpose, or by mistake. It becomes the duty of the practitioner to make sure that they know that when this happening is. This will help them in protecting themselves, as well as, their patients. In the case study mentioned, Julia seems to be in need of a friend. The issues that this situation present are,

Boundaries

The issue that exists in this case is deciding what the boundaries are. There always is a code of ethics that the medicine practitioners need to follow as a part of their professional duties. In this case, Julia is most probably in search of a friend which she thinks that Michael can become. She is, therefore, on purpose or unknowingly crossing the boundaries.

Boundary Crossings and Its Appropriateness

The client, as well as, the practitioner needs to know that when will they be crossing the professional boundaries. They need to understand that when their conduct and practices will be straying away from the traditional behavior of the helper and the patient.

Is Boundary Crossing a Boundary Violation?

Michael needs to know and make Julie understand that what boundary crossing will lead to a boundary violation for ...