Practice Problem
Running head: Practice Problem 2
Practice Problem 2
Briefly identifies the practice problem
The Wesley Center for Behavioral Wellness is a behavioral wellness practice that helps individuals from all areas of life to inherit strength to help with overcoming painful experiences while promoting growth in all areas of the client’s life. In this article, I will be talking about maintaining professional boundary, a practice problem that I observe within the practice and how the literature addresses this problem.
Briefly discusses the literature
The literature speaks about the relationship between the client and the therapist and how this relationship is built on trust and should focus on the needs of the client. According to the article, “This relationship should serve as a means through which the therapist assists his client to resolve some difficulties that they are experiencing.” (Buhari, 2013).
It is always important to maintain professional boundary with the client as this helps to maintain professionalism with the client. According to the article, “One challenge that therapist however face as they get to know their clients intimately in the course of therapy is how to maintain proper boundaries. This is because the relationship often involves regular contact over time with client sharing their feelings with the therapist. These feelings often times have the potential to evoke actions that may be clinically inappropriate and unethical. These inappropriate actions when they occur are damaging to both the professional and the client.” (Buhari, 2013).
The article states that, “Professional boundaries are therefore intended to set limits and clearly define a safe, therapeutic connection between therapist and client.” (Buhari, 2013). Creating boundaries also comes with being self-aware. Self-awareness allows the social worker to be aware of his/her feelings. According to the article, “Boundaries within therapist involves self-awareness of the therapist’s own emotions, belief system and body sensations. Being aware of his own boundaries helps the therapist with how he navigates the levels of connection and distance in the therapeutic relationships with his clients.” (Buhari, 2013). In order to have effective therapeutic relationship, the focus should remain on the client, meeting their needs, and the care/mental needs of the client.
Briefly explains how the literature will be used to address the practice problem while engaging in the agency.
This literature will be used to address the practice in that the article suggests preventive measure that can be taken into consideration. According to the article, “The therapist should follow Iron’s 5 principles to guide professional relationships: -Have respect for clients’ dignity, Avoid personal gratification at clients’ expense, Do not interfere in a client’s personal relationships, promote client’s autonomy and self-determination, Promote a fiduciary / trusting relationship. Other preventive measures to be taken by therapists are that the therapist should be well educated about therapeutic relationships and know the medical ethics entailed in ones field of practice. This education should start from medical school and continue into practice. The therapist should also be aware of transference and counter transference that may occur during the cause of therapy.” (Buhari, 2013).
Putting these measures into practice will help the therapist to practice and maintain boundary with the client. It will also help to create limits and a safe space for clients. Having boundaries help to create a line that should not be crossed so that there will be no unethical behavior or abuse of power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining a healthy client/ worker relationship is important. The goal should be maintaining a professional boundary and helping the client to achieve his or her goals. The social worker should also remember to hold to building trust and upholding the NASW code of ethics.
Reference
Buhari, ’Bunmi. (2013). Therapeutic Relationships and Professional Boundaries. IFE PsychologIA, 21(3–S), 162–168. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=89560863&site=eds-live&scope=site
Neila-kay Harrison
SOCW 6500: Social Work Field Education 11
Dr. Angela Bullock
Walden University