Course Description : This course is based on a publication of Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The article discusses the problematic issue of boundary violations and sexual misconduct between therapists and their clients. The discussion includes risk factors and preventive measures. The course is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners..
Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with a review of boundary issues faced by mental health professionals as well as ways to avoid them. Specifically, a professional will…
Identify therapist risk factors associated with boundary violations.
Recognize factors that exacerbate patient vulnerability to boundary violations
Select appropriate approaches to dealing with boundary problems.
Citation: Norris, D.M., Gutheil, T.G. & Strasburger, L.H. (2003). This couldn’t happen to me: Boundary problems and sexual misconduct n the psychotherapy relationship. PsychiatryOnlineServices, Vol. 54, N 4 pp 517-522.
Ce-Classes is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Exp 3/2009
Ce-classes.com is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org. ASWB Approval Period: 1/5/08 – 1/5/11 Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 1 credits for continuing education clock hours in participating in this course. (* Please see course descriptions for ceu information, one ceu = one continuing education clock hour)
Ce-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
Ce-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content. As such we are approved providers of continuing education for psychologists in most states in the U.S. Please see our get state requirements button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for more information.
Ce-Classes.com is an approved provider by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); Provider # 6320 Exp. 4/30/2012. As such we are approved providers of continuing education for Mental Health Counselors, Therapists, Professionals, etc, in most states in the U.S. Please see our get state requirements button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for more information.
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If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
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Exam Questions for Ethics: Boundary Problems and Sexual Misconduct
1. Boundary problems and sexual misconduct rank __________ as causes of malpractice actions against mental health practitioners.
highest
second only to suicide
second only to dual relationships
third 2. The authors of this article cite __________ as playing a significant role in the persistence of the problem of boundary problems.
denial
dual relationships
marital discord
clinical burnout 3. According to the article, boundary crossings can be defined as . . . .
initial first steps in boundary violations
potentially harmful deviations from traditional clinical behavior
harmless deviations from traditional clinical practice, behavior or demeanor
culturally based divergences from traditional practice 4. This article indicates that one of the reasons that maintenance of boundaries is always the responsibility of the clinician, is because . . . .
patients do not understand the complexities of the therapeutic process
patients are easy to manipulate
patients are vulnerable
patients are not governed by a professional code of ethics 5. According to the article, boundary problems arise
only for a few “bad apple” therapists
almost always early on in one’s career
for all clinicians irrespective of the number of years of experience
for all clinicians experiencing a life crisis 6. Transitions are discussed as a risk factor for clinicians. Financial reversals, working with managed care, stock market declines and other factors may lead to increase a clinicians’ susceptibility to . . .
financial exploitation
sexual exploitation
all types of boundary issues
depression 7. Erotic feelings towards a patient are __________ and may be highly threatening and anxiety producing for a clinician.
universal
common
rare
atypical 8. Seasoned practitioners may believe that, given their level of experience, they may be inclined to
view boundary violations differently
seek consultation right away when they need it
believe that the usual rules do not apply to them
brush aside the need to seek consultation 9. Factors associated with increased vulnerability of patients include . . .
enmeshment
autonomy
depression
divorce 10. All of the following were described as approaches to dealing effectively with boundary problems EXCEPT . . .
education
supervision
consultation
regulation
Ethics: Boundary Problems and Sexual Misconduct
If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
