ABSTRACT
A multiple relationship exists any time an art therapist has a relationship with a client that is in addition to the therapeutic one, whether the former is concurrent with or sequential to the latter. The nature of the non-therapeutic relationship might be social or professional. Being mindful of multiple relationships ensures the integrity of the therapeutic process, guarantees that clients are not taken advantage of, and protects therapists from malpractice allegations. Art therapists occasionally navigate among providing art therapy, facilitating recreational art activities, serving as an art educator, and relating as a fellow artist. Art therapists have to be careful that they are not seduced by meaningfully expressed or well rendered art, as they can lose sight of their professional objectivity. Halverson and Brownlee found that therapists in a small community frequently based their decision to be involved in a multiple relationship upon the type of service offered.
