Multiple Relationships and Misuse of Power and Exploitation of Clients

Multiple Relationships And Misuse of Power and Exploitation of Clients

A multiple relationship is defined as one whereby a therapist is in a professional role with a person and has another role with the same individual, or another person who is close to that individual, such as a friend or relative. A multiple relationship can take on varied forms, such as a therapist taking on an additional professional role such as an instructor or mentor, or it may constitute a therapist engaging in an intimate and sexual relationship with a client. Accordingly, the potential for exploitation and harm to the client will also vary extensively. While multiple relationships are not necessarily exploitative or harmful, they none-the-less do connote an abuse of power by therapist as the particular power dynamic in any therapeutic relationship is created in part by the therapist's assumed expertise and the one-sided relationship that focuses on the client's needs. This power differential is established in the therapeutic relationship and is likely to transfer to other relationships and therefore represents a misuse of power.

Power differentials are prevalent in any relationship. Power dynamics are particularly pronounced in relationships in which a consumer seeks the expertise of a recognized expert. Regardless of therapeutic paradigm or protocol, the relationship between therapist and client is punctuated by the client's payment for mental health services. Beyond economic incentive to provide a service, licensed therapists have established ethical regulations because they serve a vulnerable population. Clients seek therapy because, to some degree, they are struggling with issues they perceive to be beyond their control and seek assistance with problem management or resolution. Thus, therapist and client enter a relationship where the power dynamic, at least initially, sides with the therapist. As a professional who is paid to hear intimate details about an individual's inability to manage areas of life, the therapist has a powerful position and the client allows the therapist to take this position with the assumption that the therapist practices in accordance with an established set of ethical guidelines.

Engaging in dual or multiple relationships with a client reflects a misuse of power on the part of the therapist. The therapist is only a "professional" when engaging with an individual as a "client". Regardless of which relationship came first, once a therapeutic relationship is established, the power dynamic inherent in that relationship changes, and that impacts the integrity of the defined "professionalism" that the therapist purports and the client assumes. As stated, the power dynamic involves payment for a service along with the explicit understanding that the "service" is management or resolution of mental health issues. The therapist is committed to doing no harm, and the individual enters the therapeutic relationship with the assumption that no harm will be done. Essentially, the therapist is assumed to "know best."

The power differential established in a therapeutic setting is often beneficial to the client as it enables both the client and counselor to focus on the client's needs and it increases the likelihood that the client will form a trusting bond and attachment to the therapist. This power dynamic is not typically found within other relationships to such an extent, therefore transfer of power associated with a therapeutic relationship to another relationship reflects a misuse of power. However, it cannot necessarily be said that a multiple relationship is exploitative or harmful to the client; these two factors will be influenced by the nature and outcome of the dual relationship. In many situations such as rural and religious settings, multiple relationships will develop naturally. Many would argue that rigid