15.7 Case Studies
Case Study: Managing Dual Relationships
Dr. Smith, a clinical supervisor at a counseling center, recently discovered that her supervisee, John, has been socializing outside of work with one of his clients, Rachel. John and Rachel met at a community event and developed a friendship beyond the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Smith is concerned that this dual relationship could compromise the therapeutic boundaries and negatively impact Rachel’s treatment. She knows that addressing this issue is crucial to maintaining professional integrity and protecting John and Rachel.
Dr. Smith schedules a meeting with John to discuss her concerns. During the meeting, John acknowledged the friendship but insisted it would not affect his professional conduct. Dr. Smith must now decide how to handle the situation in a way that upholds ethical standards while supporting John’s professional development.
Discussion Questions
- What are the potential ethical issues and risks of dual relationships in this scenario?
- How should Dr. Smith approach the conversation with John to ensure he understands the importance of maintaining professional boundaries?
- What steps can Dr. Smith take to prevent similar situations in the future and promote ethical behavior among her supervisees?
Case Study: Addressing Supervisee Impairment
Linda, a clinical supervisor at a mental health clinic, has noticed concerning changes in her supervisee, Emily’s, behavior over the past few weeks. Emily has been arriving late to supervision sessions, appearing disheveled, and needs to be more engaged in her client work. Additionally, Linda has received feedback from clients and colleagues about Emily’s increased irritability and lack of focus during sessions. Concerned about the impact on client care and Emily’s well-being, Linda addresses these issues directly.
In their next supervision meeting, Linda gently brings up her observations and the feedback she has received. Emily admits that she has been experiencing significant personal stress due to family issues and has been struggling to manage her workload and self-care. Linda knows that she must handle this situation delicately to support Emily while also ensuring the safety and well-being of clients.
Discussion Questions
- What are the ethical considerations Linda must take into account when addressing Emily’s impairment?
- How can Linda balance providing support to Emily with her responsibility to protect clients and uphold professional standards?
- What strategies and resources can Linda offer to help Emily manage her stress and improve her professional performance?
Case Study: Confidentiality Breaches
Javier, a clinical supervisor at a counseling training center, recently learned that one of his supervisees, Sarah, inadvertently shared identifiable client information during a public case presentation at a professional conference. During her presentation, Sarah mentioned specific details that made it possible for audience members to identify the client. A concerned colleague brought this to Javier’s attention, emphasizing the serious breach of confidentiality.
Javier understands the gravity of the situation and schedules a meeting with Sarah to discuss the incident. Sarah is unaware of the breach and becomes visibly distressed when Javier explains the potential consequences. Javier must now guide Sarah through addressing the breach, mitigating potential harm, and reinforcing the importance of confidentiality in future practice.
Discussion Questions
- What immediate steps should Javier and Sarah take to address and mitigate the confidentiality breach?
- How can Javier use this incident as a learning opportunity to reinforce the importance of confidentiality and ethical practice in supervision?
- What policies and procedures can be implemented or reinforced at the training center to prevent similar breaches in the future?