Dual Relationships Research Paper

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Dual Relationship

One of the most important ethical standards for psychologists (as well as others in similar therapeutic relationships) is the avoidance of dual relationships. Put simply, a dual relationship is one in which the psychologist has any other relationship with a client. In the scenario that we are presented with, the nature of the potential dual relationship is fairly straightforward. The psychologist and the student have an established relationship with each other with clearly defined roles as student and instructor. Because this is an established, ongoing relationship, it would not be ethical for the psychologist to engage in a therapeutic relationship with the student.

If we consider the possible future direction of such a hypothetical relationship, we can see why it would be so problematic. For example, if the psychologist began to see the student as a client and the student/client then did not pay for a session, this would cause a certain amount of conflict.
In the course of a straightforward therapeutic relationship, conflicts over payment could become fertile ground for discussing the nature of the relationship between client and clinician as they relate to the ways in which the client may also interact with other people in his or her life. This could prove to be a very therapeutic and powerful element of the relationship between a psychologist and a client (Meyer, n.d.).

However, to pursue this hypothetical case just a little farther, what if after the client has failed to pay a bill and the psychologist has discussed the issue and the client has still not paid the bill there is an exam in the course. The student receives a low grade on the exam. Now the client feels angry: Is the low grade a result of the quality of the academic work or is it a result of the fact that there….....

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