RES-NEWSLETTER-MULTIPLE-RELATIONSHIPS — BACB Guidance: Multiple Relationships in Practice
What does RES-NEWSLETTER-MULTIPLE-RELATIONSHIPS say?
Multiple relationships are one of the most common and complex ethical challenges in behavior analysis. Comprehensive guidance: (1) Definition — A multiple relationship exists when a behavior analyst has more than one role with a client, stakeholder, supervisee, or trainee (e.g., friend, family member, business partner). (2) Not all multiple relationships are unethical — incidental contacts in small communities are unavoidable. The key is whether the relationship impairs objectivity or harms the client. (3) Common scenarios: supervisor dating a trainee, providing services to a friend's child, accepting referrals from family members, serving on a board with a client's parent, bartering for services. (4) Risk factors: power differentials, financial entanglements, emotional bonds that compromise objectivity. (5) Management strategies: disclose the relationship to relevant parties, develop safeguards, document all actions, seek consultation, develop a plan to resolve the situation. (6) The $10 gift limit (Code 1.12) exists specifically to prevent gift exchanges from creating multiple relationships. (7) Social media connections with clients/stakeholders can constitute multiple relationships. (8) Romantic/sexual relationships with current clients, stakeholders, supervisees, or trainees are absolutely prohibited. Past relationships have mandatory waiting periods (2 years for clients, 6 months for supervisees). Relevant Code sections: 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14.
Official source: read the full text in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) (official document).