Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

What is the primary ethical concern when a social worker admits to an intimate relationship with a client?

1. Client initiated contact

2. Violation of boundaries

3. Client's emotional stability

4. Irrelevant client history

The correct answer is: Violation of boundaries

The primary ethical concern when a social worker admits to an intimate relationship with a client is the violation of boundaries. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries is crucial in the social work field to ensure a therapeutic environment that promotes the well-being and progress of the client. An intimate relationship crosses these boundaries, leading to a power imbalance that can impede effective treatment and may exploit the client's vulnerabilities. Social workers are tasked with promoting their clients' best interests and providing support within a safe and ethical framework. Engaging in a personal relationship with a client significantly compromises this ethical responsibility and can jeopardize the client's emotional and psychological stability. Additionally, such a relationship can lead to questions about the worker's objectivity, as personal feelings may cloud their professional judgment. While client-initiated contact, a client's emotional stability, and irrelevant client history can all be factors in a therapeutic relationship, the fundamental issue at hand is the breach of professional boundaries that an intimate relationship represents. This violation poses serious ethical implications and can undermine the trust necessary for effective counseling.