Objective: Learners evaluate dual relationships.
Procedure: Have the learners brainstorm a number of dual relationships. Then have them analyze those relationships by asking questions about those relationships.
Example questions:
- What are the power dynamics?
- How does this kind of relationship affect my subjective response to the client/student?
- Can I truly be objective about the person if I have another kind of relationship with him or her?
- How will others perceive our relationship and what effects will that have in and out of the therapeutic or learning environment?
- How will it affect the person’s ability to learn from me and see me as a professional?
- Will this person expect special treatment from me in some way?
- What is the potential for harm?
Discussion: How do these questions reflect how you look at dual relationships? Would these questions help you to determine whether a dual relationship is acceptable for you? What other issues might you take into consideration? What other questions might you ask yourself?
Materials Required: None.
Approximate Time Required: 20-40 minutes.
[Excerpted from The Ethics of Touch Teacher’s Manual, Chapter 3.]
