Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is the ethical concern when considering couples therapy with a client who has Borderline Personality Disorder?

1. Ethical as long as the risk and benefits are reviewed.

2. Ethical as long as the expectations of couples therapy are addressed.

3. Unethical because concurrent couples therapy is never acceptable.

4. Unethical because it is clinically inappropriate with this client.

The correct answer is: Unethical because it is clinically inappropriate with this client.

When considering couples therapy with a client who has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), the ethical concern revolves primarily around the clinical appropriateness of such an approach. Individuals with BPD often experience intense and unstable interpersonal relationships, which may be exacerbated in a couples therapy setting. The dynamics in the relationship could lead to increased distress for both the client and their partner, potentially resulting in harmful outcomes. Given these considerations, proceeding with couples therapy could not only risk the client’s mental health but might also compromise the therapeutic process. It is crucial to ensure that treatment modalities are suited to the specific needs of the client. In many clinical guidelines and ethical standards, therapists are advised against engaging in couples therapy if one partner is struggling with a severe personality disorder like BPD, as the complications can hinder treatment effectiveness and lead to further instability in relationships. Thus, determining that it is unethical due to its clinical inappropriateness for clients with BPD highlights the importance of understanding the complexity of their condition and the potential impacts of the therapy approach.