Libby - You are raising an important point.
The general public might think that the Code of Ethics exists to protect
clients from unethical psychologists. However, the members of
professional associations guided by these Codes understand that their
primary purpose is to protect practitioners from civil and criminal
liability in situations where the outcome of treatment is not
successful, such as in the case of suicide. If a practitioner can
demonstrate that the course of therapy conformed to best practices, as
set forth in the Code, they there is no legal liability for a bad
outcome. Conversely, if the therapist's actions fall outside the
boundaries established by the Code then the courts may establish a case
of malpractice.
The situation of being a therapist and facilitator raises some thorny
issues. The conflict would seem to arise in a circumstance where as
facilitator you might want to say something that you could not ethically
say as a therapist. For example, in the case of a client with suicidal
feelings, a facilitator may acknowledge the client's desire to follow
someone in the system to death. This can be voiced in a way that is
accepting of that fate. A therapist, on the other hand, is required by
ethics to act to prevent that fate from being realized.
It would seem to me that once you accept the responsibility of being a
person's therapist, you cannot shut it off for purposes of facilitating
a constellation. The responsibilities of a therapist supercede the
detachment required of the facilitator. Operationally, there are a
number of ways to work around this.
Thanks for bringing this subtle distinction up for discussion.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Libby Nottle [mailto:LibbyNottle@xxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:35 PM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: *Possible Junk Mail* [ConstellationTalk] Dual relationships
Thanks for the responses so far. I appreciate the way the definition of
therapist can be extended but I am also asking an ehtical question. As a
clarification I meant dual relationships in terms of (as the other Libby
defines)
"a professional who works in different capacities"
Part of my reason for seeking comment is that were my practice to be
questioned by a professional organisation, the organisation would take
into account what is considered appropriate practice with other
practitioners in the field ie you guys!!! (as well as my supervisor's
reports of our discussions relating to the client, Chris's, as my
constellation colleague, comments about the workshop etc)
My query is partly, and I stress only partly, prompted by a situation
earlier this year when a client of mine suicided. I had been seeing him
reasonably regularly over a two year period and he had attended a number
of Chris and my constellation workshops. The most recent was two weeks
before his death. He had had previous attempts. His family were very
grateful for the support he received from (a number of) professionals.
So I did not end up before Coroner's Court or answering a complaint to a
professional body from family members. But I could have.
This is an unusual situation. And having clients attend workshops can
benefit the therapy but if it "goes wrong" what are the
justifications/processes? In the sort of context described above
arguements in addition to definition of therapist would be useful.
Thanks
Libby
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