W. Va. Code R. § 17-6-5 - Multiple Relationships - Definition of Multiple Relationships, Prohibited Multiple Relationships and Sexual Relationships

5.1. Definition of multiple relationships. Psychologists recognize that multiple relationships may occur because of the psychologist's present or previous familial, social, emotional, financial, supervisory, political, administrative or legal relationship with the client or a relevant person associated with or related to the client. Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that if such a multiple relationship occurs, it is not exploitative of the client or a relevant person associated with or related to the client.

5.1.a. Prohibited Multiple Relationships - A multiple relationship that is exploitative of the client or a relevant person associated with or related to the client is prohibited. Psychologists take all reasonable steps to ensure that any multiple relationships do not impair the psychologist's professional judgment or objectivity or result in a conflict of interest with the client or a relevant person associated with or related to the client.

5.1.b. Multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to impair a psychologist's judgment or objectivity or risk harm to the client or relevant person associated with or related to the client are not expressly prohibited.

5.2. Sexual Relationships

5.2.a. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current clients.

5.2.b. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients.

5.2.c. Psychologists do not terminate the professional relationship to circumvent this standard.

5.2.d. Psychologists do not accept as therapy clients, persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies.

5.2.e. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients to whom the psychologist has at any time within the previous 24 months provided a psychological service including but not limited to performing an assessment or rendering counseling, psychotherapeutic, or other professional psychological services for the evaluation, treatment or amelioration of emotional distress or behavioral inadequacy.

5.2.f. The prohibitions set out in (e) above shall not be limited to the 24-month period but shall extend indefinitely if the client is proven to be clearly vulnerable, by reason of emotional or cognitive disorder, to exploitative influence by the psychologist.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 17-6-5