Student Counseling Service
Guidelines Regarding Multiple Relationships

The Student Counseling Service (SCS) has multiple functions including service delivery, training, research, and teaching, and, therefore, it is expected that individuals within the SCS will be involved in multiple roles with each other. Because individuals have multiple roles in the SCS, it is important that they continually be aware of, monitor, and clarifies the implications of these multiple roles within the SCS. Supervisors of trainees and employees should make special efforts to alert and dialogue with their supervisees about the issues associated with multiple roles in the SCS. Multiple roles, per se, are not unethical or problematic, and are unavoidable in counseling centers with many functions.

Certain multiple roles within the SCS have the potential for developing into multiple relationships. Multiple relationships are described as relationships in which an individual assumes one role or relationship with someone while having or developing a different role or relationship with that same person. Multiple relationships at the SCS might be formed from any of the following multiple role possibilities: therapist, co-therapist, supervisor, supervisee, employer, employee, consultant, presenter, mentor, student, colleague, friend, partner, and relative. Multiple relationships can become problematic and/or unethical when functioning in one role or relationship, (a) has potential for maximizing and/or abusing a power differential which may exist between the individuals involved, (b) has implication and/or potential influence on the nature or course of the other relationship with that same person, and/or (c) makes it likely that objectivity will be compromised in the other relationship with that same person when evaluation is an important part of the other relationship.

The SCS holds staff members responsible for monitoring their multiple relationships and refraining from developing problematic and/or unethical multiple relationships. Staff members are encouraged to consult with each other whenever questions arise about multiple relationships. When in a multiple relationship or when considering entering into a multiple relationship, it is incumbent upon the person in the more powerful position to take special care to set appropriate limits and monitor the relationship. In addition, each person has the responsibility to refuse to enter into or remain in a multiple relationship at the SCS if they believe the relationship is or would be problematic.

Staff members will follow applicable professional ethical codes (including those of the American Psychological Association), state laws (including the Rules and Regulations of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists), and Texas A&M University rules and regulations which pertain to multiple relationships.

Because certain multiple relationships have a high probability of becoming problematic, the following guidelines are established in order to directly address the issue of multiple roles and to avoid possible problematic multiple relationships within the SCS:

1. SCS employees and practicum students are prohibited from receiving ongoing counseling services from SCS staff members concurrent with their period of employment/assignment at the SCS. An employee is defined as anyone who receives reimbursement for their services at the SCS.
2. Employees (including interns) who request psychotherapy, professional assistance with a personal crisis, remediation of dysfunctional behavior, or academic, career, or personal growth counseling should be referred to the TAMU Employee Assistance Program, other campus agencies, or community resources.
3. In the event that a practicum student desires crisis intervention from the SCS, a counselor not directly involved with the practicum student's training may see the student to help the student gain stability and support. The counselor will refer the student to other outside resources for any follow-up treatment. Practicum students who request psychotherapy, remediation of dysfunctional behavior, or academic, career, or personal growth counseling should be referred to other campus agencies or community resources.
4. Requests from former SCS clients to become SCS trainees will be processed in the same manner as any other application. An SCS trainee may not be supervised by his or her former SCS counselor or the counselor's supervisor. Clients who may be potential trainees (practicum/intern/staff) will be informed regarding how confidential information may be used in this agency. (please Appendix C see pg 15)
5. Counseling records of any trainee who was a previous SCS client are safeguarded from access by staff who are directly or potentially involved in the supervision/training of the trainee. Access to such records is on a need to know basis only for the care of the student. The Senior Software Applications Director has taken steps to limit access to the records of the above individuals mentioned.
6. Former SCS trainees who become SCS clients shall not be counseled by anyone who was involved in their supervision.
7. HelpLine workers may receive counseling services, but not concurrently from staff that have major involvement in the training, supervision, or administration of these programs.
8. It is recognized that multiple relationship problems can develop when a close friend, significant other, or family member of an SCS staff member or trainee receives counseling at the SCS. A primary issue here is protecting the confidentiality of the counseling. If any person anticipates or experiences such problems, the person should consult with the Director so that arrangements can be made to prevent or resolve the problem.
9. If a staff member anticipates or experiences a problem from a multiple relationship at the SCS, the staff member should attempt to deal with the problem by following APA ethical guidelines. The staff member should use discretion and attempt to resolve the issue by communicating directly with the other individual involved. If this is not successful, the staff member should attempt to gain resolution by consulting with his/her immediate supervisor or a higher supervisor if the problem is with the immediate supervisor.
10. If a staff member believes a multiple relationship between two other people at the SCS is problematic, the staff member should attempt to deal with the problem by following APA ethical guidelines. In this case, the staff member should use discretion and first attempt to resolve the issue by communicating directly with the individual involved in the questionable relationship who holds the more senior position at the SCS. If the issue is not resolved at this level, the staff member should consult with the Director about the matter.
11. Exceptions to these guidelines may be made, only with the approval of the Director on a case by case basis.