The Disciplinary Actions of the BBS
Read the vignette and analyze the potential ethical/legal issues reflected in the vignettes, and comment on the availability of options for each of the therapists depicted in the vignettes. How would you have handled these situations?
Vignette 1
John is a licensed marriage and family therapist in a large metropolitan area where he has been in private practice for nearly ten years. John prides himself on being an ethical therapist who strives to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. However, in spite of his careful and professional conduct, John tends to worry that someday he may end up being listed in the Disciplinary Actions of the BBS. In fact, a few of his colleagues tease him and tell him he’s being overly obsessive about making a mistake. Once, when John unexpectedly encountered one of his clients at a local supermarket, he gave his patient a quick wave of his hand and immediately left the store. John recently discovered that more than one of his patients attends exactly the same church services that he does. Now John wonders whether he ought to attend a different church service or perhaps, a different church.
Sample Solution
The ethical and legal issues in this vignette reflect the importance of maintaining professional boundaries for therapists, which include avoiding dual relationships with clients. In John’s case, he worries about being listed in the Disciplinary Actions of the BBS due to a mistake related to breaching his professional boundaries. His colleagues may be teasing him, but they are likely unaware of just how serious such an offense can be if not addressed appropriately. For example, John encountered one of his patients at a local supermarket and quickly left rather than engage in any form of conversation or interaction. This was an appropriate response as it maintains proper boundaries and avoids potential dual relationships between therapist and client within a specific context that could lead to unethical behavior or legal action against John.
In addition to avoiding dual relationships with clients, John should also consider attending different church services or even different churches since more than one of his patients attends the same service as he does. This decision is ultimately up to him but would help ensure that no patient feels uncomfortable seeing their therapist outside the treatment environment or perceives that their therapist has a certain religious agenda that could interfere with therapeutic goals.
I would have handled these situations by remaining aware at all times when I am out in public spaces where my clients could potentially be present and take steps to avoid engaging them in any type of interaction if possible other than polite greeting from afar (e.g., waving from a distance). Additionally, I would ensure that I attend different church services or churches than those attended by any current patients so as not to create unnecessary discomfort for them if our paths cross outside the treatment environment again.
