Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work: Ethical and Risk-management Challenges (On-line)
4 Credit Hours | $55.00 | Author: Dr. Frederic G. Reamer
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Is it ever appropriate for social workers to maintain relationships with clients after services are terminated? Should social workers ever disclose personal information to clients or hire former clients? How should social workers respond to gifts and social invitations from clients, or handle unexpected encounters with clients in the local community? Is it appropriate for social workers and clients to barter for professional services? This ASWB/ACE certified social work ethics continuing education course provides participants with a comprehensive overview of boundary issues and dual relationships that arise in various human service settings (for example, properly managing confidential and private information; practitioner self-disclosure; friendships and social contact with current and former clients; favors, gifts, and invitations; hiring former clients; unavoidable dual relationships). Using extensive case material, I acquaint course participants with a conceptually-based typology of boundary issues and dual relationships. Participants will learn how to identify and respond constructively to complex boundary issues, protect clients, prevent professional malpractice, and avoid liability. Key topics will include the nature of boundary issues, types of dual relationships, and risk-management strategies.

The on-line course material is presented in a PDF with pre-established bookmarks outlining the different sections of the course. Click on "bookmarks" on the left side of the PDF to access the course sections. If you do not have the most recent version of Adobe Reader, click here to download a free copy. You will temporarily leave the site until the download is complete and you close out of the Adobe site.

eLearning Essentials, provider #1123, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards. Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work, ACE #1123-E1205-02, is certified for social work ethics continuing education by ASWB,www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social Workers participating in this course will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider #RCS050601, is recognized by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board to be a provider of continuing professsional education (CPE) for Social Workers. Social Workers participating in this course will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider # 50-8572, is recognized by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling to offer continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Participants will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider # PCE 4004, is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to offer continuing education to meet MFT and LCSW licensure requirements. Participants will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials adheres to the standards of each board and maintains responsibility for the program.

Course Objectives

• Identify common boundary issues in social work and pertinent concepts
• Utilize ethical decision-making frameworks and protocols when faced with boundary and dual relationship challenges
• Distinguish between boundary crossings and boundary violations
• Avoid acts of impropriety and the appearance of impropriety
• Implement strategies to prevent practitioner impairment related to boundary violations
• Avoid conflicts of interest and undue influence
• Identify boundary issues that pose malpractice and liability risks
• Design strategies to protect clients and prevent ethics complaints and lawsuits

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Frederic G. Reamer is a professor in the graduate program of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College, where he has been on the faculty since 1983. His research and teaching have addressed a wide range of human service issues, including mental health, health care, criminal justice, public welfare, and professional ethics. Dr. Reamer received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1978) and has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings. He has also served on the faculties of the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration (1978-1981), and the University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Social Work (1981-1983). Dr. Reamer has served as Director of the National Juvenile Justice Assessment Center of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (1979-1981); as Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor of Rhode Island (1987-1990); and as a Commissioner of the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, the state housing finance agency (1987-1995). Since 1992 Dr. Reamer has served on the State of Rhode Island Parole Board. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Social Work Education (1990-1994). In 1995 Dr. Reamer was appointed editor of the Columbia University Press Social Work Knowledge book series. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the forthcoming National Association of Social Workers Encyclopedia of Social Work (20th edition). Dr. Reamer has conducted extensive research on professional ethics. He has been involved in several national research projects sponsored by The Hastings Center, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Haas Foundation. He is the author of many books and articles.

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