ABSTRACT
The preceding is an example of the kind of non-sexual multiple relationships that commonly arise in faith settings. Indeed, a survey of Christian psychotherapists found that dealing with multiple relationship issues was the most frequent ethical issue they faced (Sanders, Swenson, & Schneller, 2011). This is likely due to factors that are endemic to most faith communities, no matter the specific religion. In this chapter, I will assert that there are types of multiple relationships that should always be avoided in these settings just as they are in other settings. Consistent with the ethics codes of the American Psychological Association (APA) (2010) and the American Counseling Association (2015), however, I will not assume that multiple relationships are unethical per se. As the APA Code states, “multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical” (APA, 2010, Sect. 3.05(a)). There are several types of multiple relationships in faith settings that are not easily avoided, and where managing the multiple relationship is clearly preferential to avoiding it entirely. And, as the preceding example illustrates, there are situations in which the multiple relationship benefits the process and outcome of therapy.
