Abstract
<p>Unlike professionals who work with hearing consumers, those of us working with deaf and hard of hearing individuals invariably will encounter our consumers outside of the work environment. Should professionals who work with deaf and hard of hearing clients in vocational rehabilitation, social work, mental health, post-secondary settings or other human service agencies socialize with their clients? How should professionals deal with the number of dual relationship issues that arise on a regular basis? Is the significance of dual relationships different for hearing and Deaf professionals? Whenever we as professionals are operating in more than one role, and when there is potential for negative consequences, it is our responsibility to develop safeguards and measures to reduce (if not eliminate) the potential for harm. Though the potential for dual relationships exists in a variety of human services settings (i.e., case management, assessment, employment services), this article describes a framework for clinical considerations about dual relationships in counseling settings. The focus of this article will be on clinical considerations for counselors that could also be applied to other individuals working in human service areas.</p>
