Chapter 8
Boundary Issues
Focus Questions
1. Do you think a sexual relationship between a counselor and a former client is ever
acceptable? Why or why not?
Points instructors may want to make:
2. What are differences between a friendship and a counseling relationship?
Points instructors may want to make:
In a friendship both parties get personal needs met. In a counseling relationship, only
3. What would you do if you found that you felt a strong sexual attraction to a client you
were counseling?
Points instructors may want to make:
Acknowledge to yourself the feelings you are having.
In-Class Activity
Title: Dual Relationships
Learning
Goal: Students learn about their own and others’ understanding of dual relationships. Explore personal
feelings related to dual relationships.
Procedures: Give a brief introduction to the concept of dual relationships and then assign
students to small groups. Allow each member of the group to fill out the survey
reactions to the survey.
Discussion
Questions: Which of the items seemed to have a clear answer?
Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics
Title: Friendships with Former Clients
Learning
Goal: To consider the risks and benefits of post-termination friendships with clients.
Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5
students in each) to each take one of the positions described below and prepare a 5-
clients..
Title: Accepting Gifts from Clients
Learning
Goal: To explore the multiple considerations involved in whether or not to accept a
gift from a client.
Outside Class Activity
Title: Personal and Professional Boundaries
Learning
Goal: To reflect on personal and professional boundaries. Use the ethical decision making model provided in
the text to reflect on a dual relationship you have been involved in or you have some experience with.
Reflect on your decision to be in that position.
Procedures: Write a 2-4 page paper reflecting on your personal or professional experiences
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Think ahead to the time when you are practicing as a counselor. Under what
circumstances do you anticipate that you might self-disclose to a client? What kinds
Case Study
You are a counselor at a community based mental health clinic. You mainly see children,
adolescents and their families. One day you are presented with a gift from one of your 9-year-
old clients. It is something he has made for you. Do you keep it or do you refuse it?
Case Study Discussion
1. What should you do?
2. What options do you have?
3. Explore with the client his reasons for giving you the gift. Explain that you do not expect
1. Develop a list of the potential benefits of dual relationships. Then, develop a list of the
potential risks. Do the
2. benefits outweigh the risks, or is the reverse true?
Case Study Discussion
You should inform Marcie at the very beginning of the intake session, when discussing the
issue of confidentiality, that counselors are mandated by ethics and law to protect clients from
harming themselves. At this time, you will need to express your concern for Marcie’s well-being
and explain to her the need for a psychiatric evaluation in order to keep her safe and to determine
whether medication or hospital treatment would be appropriate for her at this time. You will
probably need to spend some time talking with Marcie about her refusal to disclose to her mother
that she is feeling depressed and sometimes suicidal, and you should encourage her to discuss
1. How did you feel as you thought about how you would handle this situation?
2. What were your primary ethical and legal concerns related to this case?
Short Paper or Oral Class Presentation Topics
1. Privileged Communication Statutes of this State Regarding Counseling Relationships
Chapter 6
Records, Subpoenas, and Technology
Focus Questions
1. Why should counselors keep records?
Points instructors may want to make:
To refresh their memories from one session to the next.
2. Why is it important to carefully document events in emergency situations?
Points instructors may want to make:
3. Why should counselors consult with an attorney if they receive a subpoena?
Points instructors may want to make:
Counselors can get into trouble if they do what a subpoena says when they shouldn’t
4. What are some of the primary benefits and problems that technology has brought to
the counseling process?
Points instructors may want to make:
Benefits include
5.
What do you think about counselors providing counseling services to clients via the
Internet?
Points instructors may want to make:
Good thing would be that more clients can access services.
In-Class Activity
Title: Documenting for Self-Protection
Learning
Goal: Learning how to write detailed notes.
Procedures: Ask a student to role play with you. The student role plays the counselor and
you role play a parent who has come to see the counselor after his/her adult child
to file a lawsuit.
Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics
Title: Cyber-counseling
Learning
Goal: To consider the advantages and disadvantages of counseling clients over the
Internet.
Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5
students in each) to each take one of the positions described below and prepare a 5-
Internet.
Title: Counselor participation in Social Media
Learning
Goal: To consider the benefits and risks involved in participating in social media
websites..
Outside Class Activity
Title: Handling a Request for Transfer of a Client’s Records vs. Responding to a Subpoena
Learning
Goal: To be aware of the similarities and differences among the steps a counselor should take in responding
to a request for transfer of a client’s records and in responding to a subpoena.
Procedures: List the considerations relevant to each of the two types of situations, and then
outline specifically the steps the counselor should take in responding to each.
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Reflect on the use you currently make of social media sites. Project yourself into
Case Study
Sheila came to your office about eight months ago, seeking counseling and stating that she “hoped to save her
marriage.” After a few sessions with Sheila, you had suggested that couples counseling might be helpful, but her
husband, Roy, refused to participate. Three months ago, Sheila and Roy went through a very nasty breakup of their
marriage, and now you have been subpoenaed to produce all of your records pertaining to Sheila’s treatment. Sheila
has told you to comply with the subpoena, saying that she has nothing to hide. Despite your suggestion to Sheila
that it may not be in her best interest to disclose those records, she has refused to assert the privilege. What should
you do?
Case Study Discussion
You should tell Sheila that you respect her decision to waive confidentiality and that you would like to
discuss the matter with her in greater detail. It may be therapeutically advisable to have this discussion with Sheila
authorization to release the records pursuant to the subpoena.
1. What types of issues might be related to Sheila’s decision to release her records?
Short Paper or Oral Class Presentation Topics
1. Provisions of the Buckley Amendment (FERPA) and Its Implications for School
Counselors
3. Communications Technology and the Privacy of Clients