Exploitive Relationships

CMHCs are aware of the intimacy and responsibilities inherent in the counseling relationship. They maintain respect for the client and avoid actions that seek to meet their personal needs at the expense of the client.

a. Romantic or sexual relationships with clients and their immediate family members (i.e., parents, children, and partners) are strictly prohibited. CMHCs do not counsel persons with whom they have had a previous sexual relationship.

b. CMHCs should not knowingly enter into a romantic or sexual relationship with a former client. If a CMHC chooses to enter into such a relationship, the burden to demonstrate that neither coercion nor harm to the client has transpired is on the CMHC and not the former client.

c. Determining the risk of exploitive relationships includes, but is not limited to, factors such as duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, the client’s personal history and mental status, and the potential adverse impact on the former client.

d. CMHCs are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, as well as how these apply in a society with clients from diverse ethnic, social, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds. CMHCs do not impose their personal values on clients.