**Ethical question for mental health professionals!**?

Question

To make a long story somewhat short, I am an MSW intern (clinical social worker) who was interning at a drug treatment facility. While there, I meet a guy who is my same age and very attractive. While interning there in a professional capacity, I did not have any type of relationship with him other than strictly professional, but on my last day of interning (when all the clients knew I was leaving) he came up to me and gave me his card and told me to call him. Apparently I was not the only one feeling the attraction. Also, he was scheduled to leave a week after I left.

My question is, would it be wrong for me to call him? He has been sober for several months and HE WAS NOT MY CLIENT. I'm kind of on the fence, on one hand he seems very cool and the few conversations that we did have while he was there were nice. But on the other hand, he was a client there while I was interning (although again, he was not my client!). What do you think? Would I be crossing the ethical line?

Answer 1

I'm not a mental health professional, but I am working on my masters in criminal justice and have experience in the AODA field.  I would advise against developing a personal relationship with the client.  For one thing, I believe the ethical guidelines for the APA indicate that psychologists should refrain from developing intimate dating relationships with clients for a total of two years after services are rendered.  I know it's human nature to be attracted to other people, but in the best interest of your career I would advise against it.  I've seen counseling staff fired for developing relationships with clients.  It's very important to have clear boundaries.  Also, people tend to gossip about this sort of thing and it could come back around to keep you from securing employment in the social work field.  I suppose one way I look at it is that clients aren't paying to be your friend, they're paying for a service.

Answer 2

I think it may be unethical. I work at a psychology clinic, not as a provider. I have had a huge crush on a client, who happens to be moving out of state next week. I feel it would still be wrong for me to pursuit this guy after he is gone. But it is your call, I suppose. Maybe ask the APA.

Answer 3

I believe you are not supose to date someone who has been in your care for a year after they have been formally discharge as one of your patients, but he is not your patient and you are not a hired employee of this center you were working at, so at face value it would appear the two of you really don't have a clearly defined profesional relationship.

Would you be crossing the line... not sure, but you certainly would be standing on it, another thing you may want to consider is thier mat be a personal conflict of interest, hypothetically speaking if the relationship did not work out he may use that as an excuse to compromise his sobriety.

Either way reference the board of social workers in your state and see what is legally ethical, the personal conflicts are entirely up to you. good luck.

Answer 4

Yes, don't call him until he is sober for at least a year.He is not grounded yet, and you would be doing him a disservice to get into a relationship, much less one with a treatment professional.

This relationship puts too much power on your side (and you know it). Think of what is best for him, not you, and give him the time he needs to get better.

Consider very seriously talking to yout supervisor or mentor about why you want to call him. You are setting yourself up for some real problems here.

Answer 5

As long as you plan on having no contact with him in a professional manner anymore then it doesn't be a problem.  Its sort of similar to asking:  can you date your professor once he's not your professor anymore?  

As long as your both comfortable with how things are then it shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 6

The issue of ethics is about how a personal relationship can effect the responsibility a professional has to a client.  As long as you are no longer professionally involved with him, you're fine.