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Are Dual/Multiple Relationships Unethical?

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD

April 1, 2021

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Question

Are dual/multiple relationships unethical? 

Answer

I would argue that dual or multiple relationships are not necessarily unethical. I do not believe that all relationships are unethical. I think some are, and I think some are not.

For example, I think there are times when it is appropriate for social workers to share some limited personal information with clients in some circumstances. Does that constitute a boundary issue? Yes. Do I think it is inherently unethical? No.

I think, for example, there are some limited circumstances where it may be appropriate for a social worker to accept a modest gift from a client. There may be relevant cultural issues to refusing that gift, and refusal of the gift could have dire clinical consequences.  I think it may be permissible in some limited circumstances for a social group to accept a gift, I have done that. I also think there are other circumstances where I would not accept a gift. I think it is too loaded. The boundary issues are too complicated, and so it depends on the circumstances.

So, to reiterate, I think some dual or multiple relationships are unethical and some are not. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between boundary crossings and boundary violations. 

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work, presented by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD.

 

 

 


frederic g reamer

Frederic G. Reamer, PhD

Frederic Reamer is a professor in the graduate program, School of Social Work, Rhode Island College. His teaching and research focus on professional ethics, criminal justice, mental health, health care, and public policy. Dr. Reamer received his PhD from the University of Chicago and he has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings.  He chaired the national task force that wrote the Code of Ethics adopted by the National Association of Social Workers in 1996 and recently served on the code revision task force. Dr. Reamer has lectured nationally and internationally on social work and professional ethics, including in India, China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and in various European nations. His books include Social Work Values and Ethics; Risk Management in Social Work; The Social Work Ethics Casebook; Ethical Standards in Social Work; Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services; Ethics and Risk Management in Online and Distance Social Work; and The Social Work Ethics Audit, among others.  In addition, Dr. Reamer has served as an expert witness in many court and licensing board cases throughout the United States.


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