A Multi-Center Survey on Dual Relationships and Associated Factors among Chinese Counselors and Psychotherapists / 中国医学伦理学

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the dual relationships and associated factors among Chinese counselors and psychotherapists.Methods: 1000 participants were investigated by a self-made questionnaire composed of ethical problems in psychotherapy and counseling.Results: The main dual relationships between counselors/psychotherapists and clients were the association of friends.Thirty-two percent of participants provided counseling or psychotherapy to their friends.To the item of "providing counseling or psychotherapy for their friends,students,supervisee,employees",the judges of ethical beliefs of participants were inconsistent,and forty-one percent of them thought that such behaviors were ethical.These items were the main associated factors,such as gender,the duration time of professional experience,the title of a technical post,the different experience of training,prescription,and medicine.Conclusion: The present state of nonsexual dual relationships between counselors/psychotherapists and clients are not rare,and the ethical beliefs of some participants in dual relationships were blurring.It is necessary to intensify the professional education,unify the ethical code,and accept the help of psychotherapy and supervision,in order to improve the current states of Chinese counselors and psychotherapists.