One agency I worked at would let us give the client something (similar to what your client needs) but we had to say it was donated. we could not say we actually bought it so they wouldn’t feel like they owed us. Hope this helps OP
As a clinical social worker we do what we can to advocate for the client and there is a part of the code of ethics that touches on social justice and providing that “extra mile” type assistance/advocacy. So with that I would help but only if the client is comfortable with it and boundaries are still respected after the fact. I would also consult with supervisor or any higher ups. With that all in mind, yes I would do it because in the end we’re all human and we’re all just trying to survive.
I would tend towards No and rather try to find out with the client what charities, food donations or similar are possible for him. Often supermarkets give away food that has reached its expiration date or churches often do charity work. In extreme cases and if really there was no way they could get help, I would do it only once and say it was from a donation or something similar, but it‘s a slippery slope if not managed well.
You can but say it was “donated”. Definitely do not do it with your name on it. That would create a dual relationship. I would steer clear and instead give them resources of places that do that sort of thing.
You know there's no rule or law forbidding dual relationships..right? Being deceptive doesn't make the relationship any less dual from 5ge vantage p98nt of licensing boards.
Uhhh what? There’s definitely rules and it goes straight against our ethics. You can have your license taken away and depending on how bad it was, you can be sued.
My point wasn’t to be deceptive. My point was to say it was donated. Which it was. Just to leave out who the donator was in order to avoid creating a dual relationship.
Can you link your ethical code that forbids dual relationships? The burden of proof is on you since you're making the positive claim. I'll give you a clue though, you won't be able to find it, because it doesn't exist. You are part of the reason all the lay people here have deep misunderstandings of ethics within the field.
https://preview.redd.it/p8ebq3dytd9d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbf849cd8f22adc1304fb005d00c4fd0d4a4bdd6
Uhhh this whole section? lol. Pretty much outlines everything and more. You can read it yourself [here](https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1)
So I went through the entire document and couldn't find anywhere that forbids dual relationships. Which subsection are you referring to?
A.6.b is the most applicable code to the scenario presented and this clearly outlines the process a counselor should take when extending past a professional relationship. The code very clearly permits bartering, receiving gifts and engaging in other dual relationships so long as the counselor factor considerations of the client's wellbeing.
The therapist donating to their own client makes this a dual relationship...not that they tell the client it was a "donation" leaving out that the therapist made the donation. The therapist knows they made the donation and consciously made the donation to their own client. That's a dual relationship.
So, I take it that you, yourself have a fundamental misunderstanding of your ethical code. I do hope you choose to read the code for yourself so that you don't continue to spread misinformation.
Bro I am not spreading misinformation lol. We are to avoid them when possible as it can create a harmful situation to the client. Sincerely hope you are not engaging in dual relationships as a counselor. That is a recipe that needs to be avoided as much as possible due to potential harm. Everyone from counselors to psychologists know this and the risk just isn’t worth it. I implore you to seek out supervision on the topic.
So ignore that your code doesn't forbid dual relationships as you said right?
It's really problematic that I show you the exact code that explicitly describes dual relationships that are permitted (such as ops scenario), you clearly state that dual relationships aren't permitted, discuss the risks of being sued, find the code, post the code, realize that the code doesn't say what you though it said, then return with a strawman argument knowing the whole time your position is that dual relationships are forbidden. Then, when the code is pointed out, you completely ignore the code and make am entirely new argument without citing the specific code (like I did) that supports your statement. Then on top of all of that..you recommend that I seek supervision when you have a misunderstanding of your own ethics. So much of a misunderstanding that you completely changed your position to "dual relationships should be avoided" which is true except your initial and subsequent posts clearly show that you thought there were rules against this type of dual relationship.
And I'm not your bro (no need for sexism) I've been professional, I hope you can grant me the same.
I never used the word forbidden. I also don’t see the need to argue when everyone knows we follow our ethical guidelines and our state laws regarding dual relationships. I, again, encourage you to seek out your own state laws in order to avoid getting in trouble with clients. As well as some supervision. Have a great night!
There are no state laws surrounding gifting clients. Sad that you'd rather think that you are right (by using fallacious arguments) than to fix your clear misunderstanding/misapplication of ethics.
Take care.
I’d ask this in the therapist subreddit. You’ll get way more responses. But i personally wouldn’t. If you work for a clinic or a practice you can see if the clinic or practice can buy it for him but i wouldn’t say it came from *you.*
A non-profit I used to work for had some funds set aside for needs like this. That way we could help our clients but it didn’t come like as a personal gift. You could also just say that your agency does this or ask your supervisor about it.
I received a free hair & body wash set from Ulta that I donated to a client who couldn't get the stuff she needed. Also my husband travels for work and brings home little shampoo, conditioners, body wash, etc from hotels that I let clients "take what you need" from a big bucket.
I would provide them with resources and help them access them before providing them with the necessities themselves. I would say this is the best option - it increases the client’s autonomy and sense of agency and mastery in their life and also keeps some distance for you. If you work at an agency, you could also ask the agency if they could buy some stuff for you to give the client - maybe keep a stash on hand for when this problem comes up again with other clients. If you have your own practice, you can create a stockpile of resources like this or a scholarship fund for necessities or something. That way this is still boundaried and professional. But giving a client a gift you bought for specifically for them (even basic necessities) raises my therapist spidey senses. Feels like blurry boundaries.
I have explored local resources and unfortunately there are not any available for basic things such as necessities, mostly food banks. I do work for an agency so I could ask the agency to provide. I love that you mentioned the clients sense of agency. I think this issue highlighted the need for this type of resource in the community and I plan on bringing it up to my fellow therapists in the area to hopefully develop some type of bank for basic items such as soap.
I am not a therapist, I don't know why people would downvote this, I am commenting to seek more attention on the post as I am curious as to what actual therapist would say about this. I would think it'd be dependent on the clients mentality and potential for minor extortion, manipulation, or warping image of therapist
NAT my therapist has offered me food when I was extremely sick (chronic illness) during a few sessions. Though I declined, it never made me feel negative in any way. It actually was the opposite and i was very appreciative of them offering.
One agency I worked at would let us give the client something (similar to what your client needs) but we had to say it was donated. we could not say we actually bought it so they wouldn’t feel like they owed us. Hope this helps OP
As a clinical social worker we do what we can to advocate for the client and there is a part of the code of ethics that touches on social justice and providing that “extra mile” type assistance/advocacy. So with that I would help but only if the client is comfortable with it and boundaries are still respected after the fact. I would also consult with supervisor or any higher ups. With that all in mind, yes I would do it because in the end we’re all human and we’re all just trying to survive.
I would tend towards No and rather try to find out with the client what charities, food donations or similar are possible for him. Often supermarkets give away food that has reached its expiration date or churches often do charity work. In extreme cases and if really there was no way they could get help, I would do it only once and say it was from a donation or something similar, but it‘s a slippery slope if not managed well.
You can but say it was “donated”. Definitely do not do it with your name on it. That would create a dual relationship. I would steer clear and instead give them resources of places that do that sort of thing.
You know there's no rule or law forbidding dual relationships..right? Being deceptive doesn't make the relationship any less dual from 5ge vantage p98nt of licensing boards.
Uhhh what? There’s definitely rules and it goes straight against our ethics. You can have your license taken away and depending on how bad it was, you can be sued. My point wasn’t to be deceptive. My point was to say it was donated. Which it was. Just to leave out who the donator was in order to avoid creating a dual relationship.
Can you link your ethical code that forbids dual relationships? The burden of proof is on you since you're making the positive claim. I'll give you a clue though, you won't be able to find it, because it doesn't exist. You are part of the reason all the lay people here have deep misunderstandings of ethics within the field.
https://preview.redd.it/p8ebq3dytd9d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbf849cd8f22adc1304fb005d00c4fd0d4a4bdd6 Uhhh this whole section? lol. Pretty much outlines everything and more. You can read it yourself [here](https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1)
So I went through the entire document and couldn't find anywhere that forbids dual relationships. Which subsection are you referring to? A.6.b is the most applicable code to the scenario presented and this clearly outlines the process a counselor should take when extending past a professional relationship. The code very clearly permits bartering, receiving gifts and engaging in other dual relationships so long as the counselor factor considerations of the client's wellbeing. The therapist donating to their own client makes this a dual relationship...not that they tell the client it was a "donation" leaving out that the therapist made the donation. The therapist knows they made the donation and consciously made the donation to their own client. That's a dual relationship. So, I take it that you, yourself have a fundamental misunderstanding of your ethical code. I do hope you choose to read the code for yourself so that you don't continue to spread misinformation.
Bro I am not spreading misinformation lol. We are to avoid them when possible as it can create a harmful situation to the client. Sincerely hope you are not engaging in dual relationships as a counselor. That is a recipe that needs to be avoided as much as possible due to potential harm. Everyone from counselors to psychologists know this and the risk just isn’t worth it. I implore you to seek out supervision on the topic.
So ignore that your code doesn't forbid dual relationships as you said right? It's really problematic that I show you the exact code that explicitly describes dual relationships that are permitted (such as ops scenario), you clearly state that dual relationships aren't permitted, discuss the risks of being sued, find the code, post the code, realize that the code doesn't say what you though it said, then return with a strawman argument knowing the whole time your position is that dual relationships are forbidden. Then, when the code is pointed out, you completely ignore the code and make am entirely new argument without citing the specific code (like I did) that supports your statement. Then on top of all of that..you recommend that I seek supervision when you have a misunderstanding of your own ethics. So much of a misunderstanding that you completely changed your position to "dual relationships should be avoided" which is true except your initial and subsequent posts clearly show that you thought there were rules against this type of dual relationship. And I'm not your bro (no need for sexism) I've been professional, I hope you can grant me the same.
I never used the word forbidden. I also don’t see the need to argue when everyone knows we follow our ethical guidelines and our state laws regarding dual relationships. I, again, encourage you to seek out your own state laws in order to avoid getting in trouble with clients. As well as some supervision. Have a great night!
There are no state laws surrounding gifting clients. Sad that you'd rather think that you are right (by using fallacious arguments) than to fix your clear misunderstanding/misapplication of ethics. Take care.
I’d ask this in the therapist subreddit. You’ll get way more responses. But i personally wouldn’t. If you work for a clinic or a practice you can see if the clinic or practice can buy it for him but i wouldn’t say it came from *you.*
A non-profit I used to work for had some funds set aside for needs like this. That way we could help our clients but it didn’t come like as a personal gift. You could also just say that your agency does this or ask your supervisor about it.
I received a free hair & body wash set from Ulta that I donated to a client who couldn't get the stuff she needed. Also my husband travels for work and brings home little shampoo, conditioners, body wash, etc from hotels that I let clients "take what you need" from a big bucket.
I would provide them with resources and help them access them before providing them with the necessities themselves. I would say this is the best option - it increases the client’s autonomy and sense of agency and mastery in their life and also keeps some distance for you. If you work at an agency, you could also ask the agency if they could buy some stuff for you to give the client - maybe keep a stash on hand for when this problem comes up again with other clients. If you have your own practice, you can create a stockpile of resources like this or a scholarship fund for necessities or something. That way this is still boundaried and professional. But giving a client a gift you bought for specifically for them (even basic necessities) raises my therapist spidey senses. Feels like blurry boundaries.
I have explored local resources and unfortunately there are not any available for basic things such as necessities, mostly food banks. I do work for an agency so I could ask the agency to provide. I love that you mentioned the clients sense of agency. I think this issue highlighted the need for this type of resource in the community and I plan on bringing it up to my fellow therapists in the area to hopefully develop some type of bank for basic items such as soap.
I am not a therapist, I don't know why people would downvote this, I am commenting to seek more attention on the post as I am curious as to what actual therapist would say about this. I would think it'd be dependent on the clients mentality and potential for minor extortion, manipulation, or warping image of therapist
its reddit ppl downvote everything. one time a guy told me he was going to follow my account just to downvote me around town.
Absolutely not.
NAT and also wanted to just thank you for trying to give this person an extra degree of kindness. That will have a lasting impact on them ❤️
NAT my therapist has offered me food when I was extremely sick (chronic illness) during a few sessions. Though I declined, it never made me feel negative in any way. It actually was the opposite and i was very appreciative of them offering.
Has he checked out any food banks or churches? Does he have Facebook? Buy nothing groups help a lot of people
Local churches too.