The Ethics of Dual Relationships

In my opinion, the AAMFT Ethics Committee and the AAMFT Board are attending to the wrong issue in actively discouraging dual relationships in the field of family therapy. The focus in the AAMFT Code of Ethics should remain centered on the avoidance of exploitation and not be shifted onto the avoidance of dual relationships. I acknowledge the importance of finding ways to protect the dependency and trust of clients. However, a more specific means of doing so is required than simply avoiding dual relationships. An ethical injunction to avoid duality not only fails to address the exploitation that occurs within professional relationships, it introduces some of its own problems.