Final answer:
Therapists must exercise caution and avoid initiating treatment when there is a known dual relationship with a client due to potential ethical issues and the risk of impaired judgment. Professional boundaries should be maintained and referral to another therapist may be necessary in such cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Therapists should be cautious of initiating treatment when there is a known dual relationship. Such a relationship occurs when the therapist has an additional role with the client outside of the therapy context, which can pose ethical dilemmas and potentially affect the therapist's objectivity. The American Psychological Association's Ethics Code advises therapists to avoid dual relationships when it could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to the client. To address this, therapists must establish professional boundaries and consider referral to another professional if a dual relationship could compromise the quality of care.