{"id":33646,"date":"2026-07-06T16:21:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T16:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/?page_id=33646"},"modified":"2026-07-12T18:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T18:08:26","slug":"professional-boundaries-dual-relationships","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/professional-boundaries-dual-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Boundaries &#038; Dual Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"33646\" class=\"elementor elementor-33646\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a744dd9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a744dd9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-942a6b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"942a6b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Healthcare Ethics Courses \u2014 Psychology Board article \u2014 paste into an Elementor Custom HTML block. 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aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/au\/knowledge-support\/\">Psychology Board<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li aria-current=\"page\">Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Psychology<\/li>\r\n    <\/ol>\r\n  <\/nav>\r\n\r\n  <header class=\"head wrap\">\r\n    <h1>Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Psychology<\/h1>\r\n    <div class=\"meta\">\r\n      <span>8 min read<\/span>\r\n      <span class=\"dot\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&bull;<\/span>\r\n      <span>Last updated June 2026<\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"lead\">Dual and multiple relationships are the defining boundary challenge in psychology \u2014 and a leading source of notifications. This guide explains what the Psychology Board&#8217;s Code of Conduct (effective December 2025) requires, how to manage multiple relationships (including in rural practice), and the safeguards that protect clients and your registration.<\/p>\r\n  <\/header>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"takeaways wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>Boundaries separate conduct aimed at the client&#8217;s needs from the psychologist&#8217;s own interests; the client is always the vulnerable party.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Psychology Board&#8217;s <strong>Code of conduct<\/strong> took effect on 1 December 2025 and is enforceable under the National Law.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Under section 4.9, psychologists must <strong>avoid or discontinue multiple relationships<\/strong> unless ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue.<\/li>\r\n      <li>In rural and small communities, overlapping relationships must be anticipated, managed and <strong>documented<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Sexual relationships with clients are never acceptable, and breaches can lead to cancellation of registration.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Boundaries in the therapeutic relationship<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Professional boundaries are the clear separation between conduct aimed at meeting the client&#8217;s psychological needs and the psychologist&#8217;s own views, feelings and relationships. The client is always the vulnerable party in the psychologist\u2013client relationship, and it is the psychologist&#8217;s responsibility to recognise that power imbalance and keep the relationship professional. The Psychology Board&#8217;s <em>Code of conduct<\/em> (in effect from 1 December 2025) makes these expectations explicit and enforceable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <h2>Multiple relationships<\/h2>\r\n    <p>A <strong>multiple relationship<\/strong> exists where a psychologist holds another role with a client alongside the professional one \u2014 for example supervising a provisional psychologist while also being their manager, or treating someone who is also a friend, colleague or business contact. Under the Code (section 4.9), psychologists must <strong>avoid or discontinue<\/strong> multiple relationships unless they hold a reasonable belief that they are ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue \u2014 and where they do continue, they must follow the effective-practice steps the Code sets out.<\/p>\r\n    <aside class=\"note\"><p>The risk in a multiple relationship is not the second role itself but its effect \u2014 impaired objectivity, competence or effectiveness, and the potential for the client to be harmed or exploited.<\/p><\/aside>\r\n\r\n    <h2>Rural and small-community practice<\/h2>\r\n    <p>In rural and remote settings, overlapping relationships can be almost unavoidable \u2014 you may see clients at the school, the shops or the sports club. The Code does not pretend otherwise; it expects you to anticipate these situations, manage them thoughtfully, and <strong>document<\/strong> both the multiple relationship and any supervision or peer consultation you sought about it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <h2>Practical safeguards<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>Screen for pre-existing relationships before accepting a client.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Where coaching and therapy might overlap, keep them separate \u2014 separate agreements, fees and confidentiality terms \u2014 and never offer coaching to a current therapy client.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Use supervision and peer consultation to test your objectivity, and record it.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Where a relationship compromises objectivity, refer on and manage the transition safely.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n\r\n    <h2>When boundaries are breached<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Breaching boundaries may amount to unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct, with outcomes from a caution or conditions to referral to a tribunal that can cancel registration. Sexual relationships with clients are never acceptable. If you are facing a concern, our guide to <a href=\"\/au\/knowledge-support\/psychology-board\/psychology-board-complaints-notifications-explained\/\">Psychology Board complaints<\/a> explains what to expect.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"courses wrap\">\r\n      <h2>Related CPD courses<\/h2>\r\n      <p class=\"intro\">Strengthen the boundary judgement this article describes with CPD for Australian practitioners:<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/ethical-boundaries-with-patients-and-colleagues\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Ethical Boundaries with Patients and Colleagues<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/professional-boundaries-course\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Professional Boundaries Course<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/professionalism-and-professional-standards-for-psychologists\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Professionalism and Professional Standards for Psychologists<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"course\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/courses\/ethics-and-ethical-standards-for-psychologists\/\"><span class=\"course-tag\">CPD course<\/span><span class=\"course-name\">Ethics and Ethical Standards for Psychologists<\/span><span class=\"course-arr\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"siblings wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Continue the Psychology Board series<\/h2>\r\n        <a class=\"sib\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/psychology-board-complaints-explained\/\">Complaints and Notifications Explained<svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n        <a class=\"sib\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/confidentiality-record-keeping-for-psychologists\/\">Confidentiality and Record Keeping for Psychologists<svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"faq wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>What is a multiple relationship in psychology?<\/h3><p>Where a psychologist holds another role with a client alongside the professional one \u2014 for example treating a friend, colleague or business contact, or supervising someone they also manage.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Does the Code ban all dual relationships?<\/h3><p>It requires psychologists to avoid or discontinue multiple relationships unless reasonably, ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue \u2014 and to follow the Code's effective-practice steps where they do.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>How do I manage overlapping relationships in a small town?<\/h3><p>Anticipate them, manage them thoughtfully, seek supervision or peer consultation, and document both the relationship and the advice you sought.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>Can I offer coaching to a therapy client?<\/h3><p>No. Coaching should never be offered to a current therapy client, as it creates a dual relationship and risks impaired objectivity and confidentiality.<\/p><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"faq-item\"><h3>What happens if a boundary is breached?<\/h3><p>It may amount to unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct, with outcomes from a caution or conditions to referral to a tribunal; sexual relationships with clients are never acceptable.<\/p><\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n    <p class=\"disclaimer\">This article is general information for education and CPD purposes. It is not legal advice and does not create a practitioner\u2013adviser relationship. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your professional indemnity insurer, your union or professional association, or an independent lawyer experienced in health practitioner regulation. Healthcare Ethics Courses is an independent education provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ahpra or any National Board; regulator names are used for reference only.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\r\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/au\/knowledge-support\/psychology-board\/professional-boundaries-dual-relationships-psychology\/#article\",\r\n      \"headline\": \"Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Psychology\",\r\n      \"description\": \"Professional boundaries and dual relationships in psychology - the Psychology Board Code of Conduct (Dec 2025), managing multiple relationships including in rural practice, and safeguards.\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-AU\",\r\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-03\",\r\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-03\",\r\n      \"author\": 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