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Boundaries and the Use and Misuse of Power and Authority: Ethical Complexities for Clergy Psychotherapists
Author(s) -
Haug Ingeborg E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of counseling and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.805
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1556-6676
pISSN - 0748-9633
DOI - 10.1002/j.1556-6676.1999.tb02467.x
Subject(s) - confidentiality , power (physics) , professional boundaries , professional ethics , engineering ethics , psychology , boundary (topology) , ethical issues , public relations , political science , law , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Acknowledging their power and authority and establishing and maintaining clear and safe professional boundaries tend to be complex issues for clergy psychotherapists. The legacy of dual training, insufficient attention to professional ethics, as well as differing role expectations and professional socializations as clergy and counselor make it imperative for clergy psychotherapists to be particularly thoughtful about boundary issues in counseling. This article discusses the vulnerabilities and complexities clergy psychotherapists encounter, particularly matters of multiple relationships, confidentiality, and practice policies. It also proposes preventive actions to raise awareness and safeguard ethical conduct.