Proposed Standard for Multiple Relationships in the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct

Abstract

This article provides a proposal for new language and a revised standard for multiple relationships to be considered for the APA Ethics Code. The current multiple relationships language in the APA (2002) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct was updated in part due to rural American psychologists being involved in a variety of relationships with clients out of necessity. This article explores the differences between the previous APA (1992) Ethics Code and the current APA (2002) Ethics Code, addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the current code and the need for an updated version. The proposed language builds upon the 2002 Ethics Code’s strengths regarding the definition of multiple relationships and the idea that not all multiple relationships are ethical violations. It then provides a minimum standard for a strategy of assessing multiple relationships and informing the client of the dynamics of a multiple relationship.