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Professional boundaries between a psychologist and a recent former client (07HDC08103)
Download Professional boundaries between a psychologist and a recent former client (07HDC08103) (PDF 8Kb)
(07HDC08103, 9 November 2007)
Psychologist ~ Professional boundaries ~ Standard of
care ~ Failure to communicate with colleagues ~ Failure to document
care ~ Rights 4(1), 4(2)
A principal psychologist complained about a breach of boundaries
by a psychologist working in his service. The psychologist provided
services to a client who was nearing the end of a prison sentence.
When they developed feelings towards each other, the psychologist
went to the principal psychologist, her manager, to discuss these
feelings. It was agreed that she should no longer work with the
man, and his care was transferred. In addition, the manager asked
the psychologist to produce a management plan, which was to help
her to deal with her feelings. However, soon after this meeting,
contact recommenced, unknown to the psychologist's colleagues or
her manager. The psychologist stated that she assisted the man with
managing his suicidal thoughts, but she failed to mention this
support, or to document her interactions.
As the psychologist had failed to produce a management plan, had
failed to turn up to work, and had not been in contact after one
supervision session, her contract was terminated.
Some time later, the man was rearrested at the psychologist's
home for breach of his parole conditions. Both the psychologist and
the man told the man's parole officer that they had been living
together for two months. The psychologist stated that there was no
sexual relationship, but admitted that the relationship was
inappropriate and unethical. The man stated that the relationship
was sexual, and that he and the psychologist were in a serious
relationship.
It was held that, by failing to document the man's suicidal
ideation and communicate her concerns about his condition to his
psychologist, the psychologist failed to provide services with
appropriate care and skill, and breached Right 4(1).
In addition, by failing to maintain appropriate boundaries and
for falling below the standard required in the core competencies
for psychologists relating to critical and constructive
self-reflection and external review of her practice through
adequate supervision, the psychologist breached Right 4(2).
The Director of Proceedings issued a charge before the Health
Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. At a hearing on 4 August 2008
the psychologist admitted the charge, and the Tribunal cancelled
her registration, lifted her name suppression and ordered her to
pay a contribution to the cost of the investigation, prosecution
and hearing.
Link to Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
decision:
http://www.hpdt.org.nz/portals/0/psy0884ddecdp070.pdf