Question

A social worker admits to an intimate relationship with one of his clients whom he has treated for over two years. The social worker is the subject of a regulatory board investigation. He tells the investigator that he truly loves the client and would like to marry her. When interviewed, the client reports that she initiated the sexual contact with the social worker. The social worker terminated therapy with the client when she moved in with him. The social worker's actions are:

A. a violation of boundaries
B. not an ethical breach because no harm was caused to the client
C. acceptable because the therapeutic relationship was terminated
D. illegal in all jurisdictions

Answer 1

The social worker's admission to an intimate relationship with a client is a violation of professional boundaries and is considered ethically inappropriate. Codes of ethics for social workers typically prohibit such conduct because it breaches trust and can impair professional judgment, and in some cases, it may also be illegal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The social worker's actions of entering into an intimate relationship with a client is considered a violation of professional boundaries. In the field of social work, engaging in a sexual or romantic relationship with a current or former client is ethically inappropriate, regardless of who initiated the contact. Such conduct is typically addressed in the code of ethics for social workers and is often considered a breach of trust and professional responsibility.

Many regulatory boards and professional codes of ethics, such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, clearly state that social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients that could impair their professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients. This includes ending professional services with a client solely to pursue a personal or sexual relationship. Additionally, even though the therapeutic relationship was terminated, the power dynamics that exist in a therapist-client relationship do not disappear instantly, making such a relationship questionable. It is also worth noting that in some jurisdictions, this can be considered not only unethical but also illegal.