National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

What concept refers to the intertwining of personal and professional roles in a therapeutic relationship?

1. Dual relationship

2. Ethical absolutism

3. Psychoactive dependence

4. Clinical pragmatism

The correct answer is: Dual relationship

The concept that refers to the intertwining of personal and professional roles in a therapeutic relationship is dual relationship. This phenomenon occurs when a counselor or therapist has multiple roles with a client, such as being both a therapist and a friend, or having some other personal connection outside the therapeutic setting. Understanding dual relationships is crucial for professionals in the field of addiction counseling and therapy because they can complicate boundaries and may lead to conflicts of interest, potential bias, or questions about the counselor’s objectivity. Ethical guidelines typically advise against dual relationships to maintain the integrity of the therapeutic alliance and to protect the welfare of the client. In contrast, ethical absolutism refers to the belief in absolute standards for ethical behavior, psychoactive dependence relates to an individual's reliance on substances, and clinical pragmatism emphasizes practical approaches in clinical settings, none of which address the specific intertwining of personal and professional roles in the same way that dual relationships do.