Professional Ethics and Law in California, 2nd Edition _ ____________________________________________
CLIENTS WHO LACK DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY
• Limiting practice to those populations that do not cause your own needs to surface. • Seeking clinical supervision to effectively deal with personal feelings. • Documenting surroundings and who was present during sessions and visits. • Avoiding seeing the client at late hours or in locations that are atypical for routine practice. Reporting sexual misconduct by a colleague is an ethical responsibility of mental health practitioners. Many states have laws that require licensed professionals to report such misconduct, as well as other ethical violations, to their state boards. It is the responsibility of every professional to protect clients by reporting a reasonable knowledge or suspicion of misconduct between the client and colleague.
The practitioner’s responsibility is to safeguard the rights and interests of clients who lack decision-making capacity. Persons who lack this capacity include intellectually delayed or impaired individuals, some older adults, and children under the age of 18. It is especially important to utilize consent forms at all times, and inform and document contact with family and other service providers. In addition, social work professionals should understand how these clients may become vulnerable to—and potentially harmed by—businesses, institutions, and family or other caregivers.
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES SELF-ASSESSMENT Following are red flags that professional boundaries may be compromised. Some relate to you and some to clients. As you honestly answer the following questions yes or no, reflect on the potential for harm to your client.
YES
NO
Have you ever spent time with a client “off duty”?
Have you ever kept a secret with a client?
Have you ever adjusted your dress for a client?
Has a client ever changed a style of dress for you?
Have you ever received a gift from a client?
Have you shared personal information with a client?
Have you ever bent the rules for a client?
Have you ever given a client a gift?
Have you ever visited a client after case termination?
Have you ever called a client when “off duty”?
Have you ever felt sexually attracted to a client?
Have you ever reported only the positive or only the negative aspects of a client?
Have you ever felt that colleagues/family members are jealous of your client relationship?
Do you think you could ever become over-involved with a client?
Have you ever felt possessive about a client?
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