California Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Law and Ethics exam

What is the primary ethical concern when working with a couple where one partner is unfaithful?

1. Maintaining neutrality in the therapy process

2. Protecting the confidentiality of the unfaithful partner

3. Ensuring informed consent for dual relationships

4. Establishing appropriate boundaries with both partners

The correct answer is: Maintaining neutrality in the therapy process

Maintaining neutrality in the therapy process is crucial when working with a couple where one partner is unfaithful. Neutrality allows the therapist to create a safe and supportive environment for both partners, ensuring that neither feels judged or blamed during the session. This approach encourages open communication, allowing both partners to express their feelings and perspectives without fear of bias from the therapist. Neutrality is essential for effective therapy, especially in sensitive situations such as infidelity, where emotions can run high. If the therapist appears to side with one partner over the other, it could lead to increased conflict, distrust, and hinder the therapeutic process. By maintaining objectivity, the therapist facilitates a more balanced discussion, helping the couple navigate their issues more constructively and work towards resolution in a more equitable manner. Other options, while relevant, are not the primary concern when addressing the dynamics of infidelity. Protecting confidentiality is important, but it does not replace the need for neutrality. Informed consent is essential in establishing therapeutic relationships, yet it is secondary to creating a balanced and fair environment. Appropriately setting boundaries is also important but becomes effective only when neutrality is established, as it sets the stage for a healthy therapeutic relationship.