When boundary issues arise in dual relationships, what is recommended practice?

• A. Seek supervision.
• B. Ignore the issue.
• C. Immediately terminate therapy.
• D. Expand dual relationships.

Answer: (A)

When boundary issues show up in dual relationships, the ethical move is to seek supervision. A supervisor or experienced colleague can offer an outside, objective perspective, help you evaluate the level of risk to the client, and guide you in how to restore or adjust boundaries while staying aligned with professional standards. This collaborative step often leads to practical actions like clarifying boundaries, increasing documentation, modifying or ending the dual roles, or making a referral if needed, all in the client’s best interests.

Ignoring the issue allows boundary conflicts to persist and can heighten risk to the client and violate ethics. Expanding dual relationships worsens the problem by increasing conflicts of interest and power imbalances. Terminating therapy immediately may be necessary in extreme cases, but supervision is the standard first step to determine the safest, most appropriate course of action.