Running Head Dual Relationships1. . Dual Relationships

Running head: DUAL RELATIONSHIPS 1 DUAL RELATIONSHIPS 11 Dual Relationship Issues in Social Work Clinical Supervision Melissa Harcrow WNMU School of Social Work Definition of Problem The ethics of social workers engaging in possible conflicts of interest in the case of boundary and dual relationships presents major challenges for the clinical social work supervisor. After the many mistakes in this realm during the formative period of social work during the 20th century the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the American Psychological Association (APA) have defined various code of ethics and practice standards in order to shield vulnerable clients from over-confident, manipulative, or confused†¦show more content†¦It centers on a holistic approach to psychotherapy and the client’s relationship to his or her environment. Clinical social work views the client’s relationship with his or her environment as essential to treatment planning.† (NASW, 2008) Through the lens of the Code of Ethics, various guidelines have the potential to be impacted through this practice if attention to method, transference /countertransference, mindfulness and competence are not examined. The three primary ethical principles that have the potential to be impacted would be; 1) Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise, 2) Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships, and 3) Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person. To ensure that all three potential conflicts are not present, a supervisee should research and interview potential clinical supervisors prior to engaging in a contractual relationship. Secondly, a supervisee should partner with their potential supervisor to discuss, evaluate, and plan for potential pitfalls within the relationship through a very objectively written contract with accountability built in to ensure that potential issues are proactively addressed. And finally, a