The ACA Code of Ethics is clear in that sexual/romantic relationships with current clients, client’s’ partners, and/or family members are prohibited. However, the most recurrent liability claims against counselors involved inappropriate sexual/romantic relationships. Our field is relatively quiet regarding acknowledging, discussing, and understanding situations in which attraction occurs. A disconnect and reluctance to discuss attraction issues seems to exist. Additionally, understanding how to work through such an occurrence in supervision is imperative. This further calls counselors, educators, and supervisors to understand power imbalances and to utilize theory/techniques to create an egalitarian therapeutic alliance. Join us for an interactive presentation to discuss pedagogical and supervision implications. Resources provided.

The ACA Code of Ethics is clear in that sexual/romantic relationships with current clients, clients’ partners, and/or family member are prohibited (A.5.a). However, the most recent liability claims against counselors involve inappropriate sexual/romantic relationships with clients or partners/family members of clients. Join us to discuss clinical and supervision implications.