Counselors have a long history of problems with multiple relationships with clients. This is particularly true in rural communities, where populations are small and cultural norms encourage people to seek help from people they know and trust. This article discusses the inherent problems in having another relationship with a client, ways in which to apply ethics to decide whether to engage in counseling when another relationship exists, and safeguards to keep in place if a multiple relationship is determined to be in the client’s best interest.
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