Relationship Boundaries

2021 ◽  
pp. 26-47
Author(s):  
Joseph Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Professional Boundaries ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Relationship Boundaries

The concept of worker/client boundaries (the assumed and sometimes unspoken rules that people internalize about the physical and emotional limits of their relationships with others) is important to all types of social work. The various social work practice theories include different assumptions about appropriate boundaries and thus it is important to closely examine this concept. The major aspects of worker/client boundaries include contact time, the types of information that are appropriate to share, physical closeness of the parties, the range of emotions that is appropriate to share, and the physical space in which the interaction takes place. Both personal and professional boundaries and how they interact to influence relationships with clients are considered.

Clinical, Ethical, and Legal Issues in E-therapy

2003 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karima Kanani ◽  
Cheryl Regehr
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Internet Communication ◽  
Duty To Warn ◽  
Professional Boundaries ◽  
Therapeutic Encounter ◽  
Patient Relationships

In recent years, many social workers have joined the ranks of virtual or e-therapists. While this offers exciting new opportunities for social work practice, the advent of e-therapy has come with a host of challenges particular to Internet communication that may not be reconcilable with current social work regulation. This paper reviews the social work codes of ethics in both the United States and Canada, legislation governing treatment, and case law with respect to several important issues related to e-therapy. The paper begins with a discussion of jurisdictional issues and expertise to practice e-therapy. Next, it suggests that if e-therapy fits within the purview of acceptable social work practice, the establishment of therapist–patient relationships creates professional duties of care owed to patients and to the public. Four of the most critical duties in a therapeutic encounter are considered: the duty to obtain informed consent, the duty to maintain confidentiality, the duty to warn third parties of harm, and the duty to maintain professional boundaries.

Listening to the Voices of Individuals with Disabilities

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen French Gilson ◽  
John C. Bricout ◽  
Frank R. Baskind
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Social

Social work literature, research, and practice on disabilities has lagged behind other topical areas dealing with oppressed groups. The social work literature remains “expert focused” and generally fragmented into discussions of specific disabilities or subpopulations. A viable general model that deals with the personal experience of disability is not available. This exploratory study presents a social work literature search and analysis as well as interviews with six individuals with disabilities about their experiences with social workers. Individuals with disabilities assert that they were treated as though they had categorically fewer aspirations, abilities, and perhaps even fundamental rights than did nondisabled people. This study provides a base for follow-up research on models of consumer-focused social work practice in the area of disability.

A Process Model of Social Development Supervision in Social Work

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mpumelelo Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Supervision Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Practice Approach ◽  
Dialectical Relationship ◽  
Development Approach

Supervision practice in social work is understood as the mainstay of the profession. However, various studies have pointed to the inadequacies of supervision to facilitate quality service provision. Previous studies have reflected a general misalignment between the approach to supervision practice and the approach to social work practice as one inadequacy leading to the failure of supervision practice. Although there are numerous supervision models in the profession, some of which are aligned with certain practice approaches, none is directly identifiable with the social development approach, which should be at the core of social work orientation in South Africa. Thus, this article provides a process model of supervision in social work that aims to establish a dialectical relationship between supervision and the social development practice approach. The study was underpinned by Thomas’ research and design process, which was used to design and develop a social work supervision model mirroring a social development approach. The paper concludes with recommendations related to the use of the developed model.

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