Therapist and Client Relationship

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the ethics and legal standards in the therapist/client relationship. The writer notes that standards of ethics and law in conducting oneself as a therapist have been established by peer review professionals with input from legal advisory sources, and the standards and rules are intended to keep the therapist and the patient physically and mentally safe, and to protect the patient's confidentiality and privacy. The writer maintains that it is these ground rules that provide the basis of trust that is tangential to the therapist/client relationship in order that together they are able to work through those issues that caused the patient to seek professional guidance in his or her life. This study examines the therapist/client relationship and looks at the ethics and legal ground rules upon which they conduct their relationship.

Outline:
Introduction
Informed Consent
The Environmental Framework
What it Means
Public Response

From the Paper:

"That physicians were held in such high esteem by their patients reflects the level of confidence that arises out of the patient/physician relationship. That relationship is special, because it normally involves a patient who is suffering, either mentally or physically, some malaise for which they are seeking medical care. This causes the patient to be psychologically and physically vulnerable. The physician comes to represent something greater than the patient's self; almost a god-like entity as might be perceived by the patient because of their reduced physical or mental ability to function in their life.
"Now we can begin to understand why the professional relationship that is established between the therapist and the patient is, from the immediate start, one that needs to be clearly defined and conducted so that the boundaries of professional guidance to personal improvement can be established. Ignoring those boundaries is dangerous to the therapists' professional status, and to the best interest of the patient."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bohmer, C. (2000). The Wages of Seeking Help: Sexual Exploitation by Professionals. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=27277229
• Braaten, E. B., & Handelsman, M. M. (1997). Client Preferences for Informed Consent Information. Ethics & Behavior, 7(4), 311-328. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94803861
• Holmes, C. A. (1998). There Is No Such Thing as a Therapist: An Introduction to the Therapeutic Process. London: Karnac Books. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=11241547
• Redleaf, A., & Baird, S. A. (1998). Behind Closed Doors: Gender, Sexuality, and Touch in the Doctor/Patient Relationship. Westport, CT: Auburn House. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=23330078
• Thorn, B. E., Rubin, N. J., Holderby, A. J., & Shealy, R. C. (1996). Client -- Therapist Intimacy: Responses of Psychotherapy Clients to a Consumer-Oriented Brochure. Ethics & Behavior, 6(1), 17-28. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94802088

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