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According to APS ethical guidelines, what are the recommendations concerning client/therapist physical contact?

a) Encouraging frequent physical contact for trust-building
b) Setting clear boundaries and avoiding inappropriate physical contact
c) Ignoring the impact of physical contact in therapy sessions
d) Providing physical contact without client consent

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The APS ethical guidelines advise therapists to set clear boundaries and avoid inappropriate physical contact, ensuring all physical interactions are consensual and appropriate to the therapeutic context.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the APS (Australian Psychological Society) ethical guidelines, the recommendation concerning client/therapist physical contact is b) Setting clear boundaries and avoiding inappropriate physical contact. The APS guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the potential for physical contact to be misinterpreted. Thus, therapists are advised to avoid any form of physical contact that could be deemed inappropriate or that could compromise the therapeutic relationship. In some therapeutic contexts, such as with children or within certain modalities that may include touch as part of the therapy, clear agreements and boundaries should be established and informed consent from the client must be obtained.

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