The course is based entirely on the book, Boundaries in Psychotherapy: Ethical and Clinical Explorations by Ofer Zur, Ph.D., published by American Psychological Association in 2007.
This is an advanced course about the complexities of boundary crossing and non-sexual and non-exploitative dual relationships in psychotherapy. It uses the "cutting edge" book, Boundaries in Psychotherapy, by Ofer Zur, Ph.D. (APA Books 2007) as its main text. It also includes an Addendum, which covers California laws that pertain to therapeutic boundaries and dual relationships.
Boundary violations and boundary crossings in psychotherapy refer to any deviation from traditional, strict, "only in the office," emotionally distant forms of (usually analytic) therapy. Boundary issues mostly refer to issues of self-disclosure, length and site of sessions, physical touch, self-disclosure, bartering, telehealth, jointly engaging in activities outside the office, gift exchange, and various forms of dual relationships. Dual relationships refer to any situation where multiple roles exist between a therapist and a client. Besides sex with a client, other examples of dual relationships are: engaging in therapy with a friend, a student, a colleague or a business associate. Additional forms of dual relationships might be such shared activities as attending the same church, belonging to the same social club or recreational sports league and attending the same conferences or political rallies.
The course will guide therapists through the complexities of boundary crossings in therapy. The entire course material is included in the enclosed book and the addendum. It will outline how boundary crossings and dual relationships relate to issues, such as exploitation, power, sexual relationships, familiarity, transference and counter-transference, community relationships, effective therapy, treatment plans, etc. The course will cover issues of dual relationships and the standard of care; ethical, clinical and legal considerations; ethical decision process; update on CA law and much more. For a detailed list of the areas covered in this course, see the book's Table of Contents.
Educational Objectives:
This course will teach psychotherapists to
Utilize sound, ethical decisions in regard to the implementation of non-sexual, non-exploitative boundary crossings and dual relationships in psychotherapy.
Define and identify boundary crossings and boundary violations and dual relationships.
Apply your interventions based on clinical rationales and knowledge of the law and ethics, rather than on fear of attorneys and boards.
Assess when it is clinically advisable to cross boundaries.
Prepare clients, with the understanding of informed consent, in regard to boundary crossings, such as touch, bartering, telehealth and dual relationships.
Design sound clinical records concerning boundary crossings and dual relationships.
Integrate boundary crossings into your treatment planning.
Review current accepted standards of practice in regard to dual relationships and boundaries in therapy.
Course Syllabus: For course syllabus, which is the book's Table of Contents, click here.
This is an advanced course about the complexities of boundary crossing and non-sexual and non-exploitative dual relationships in psychotherapy. It uses the "cutting edge" book, Boundaries in Psychotherapy, by Ofer Zur, Ph.D. (APA Books 2007) as its main text. It also includes an Addendum, which covers California laws that pertain to therapeutic boundaries and dual relationships.
