I just received my first gift from a client and thought about other therapists who are also faced with the issue of client holiday gifts. So, do you accept those cookies, or hey, how about that silver Mercedes (that actually happened)? Since the ethical rules are that we don't take care of ourselves at the expense of our clients, what is the answer to whether to accept that gift of chocolate or cookies that your client heartfully offers you?
I've often heard that the answer to this dilemma is to NEVER accept gifts. My head says, of course, and then when faced with a simple gift the client is offering, for a variety of reasons, EVEN when I had said not to give me anything, I get confused. The last legal and ethical workshop I took said gifts under $20 were not a problem if they are discussed and noted in the clinical record, i.e., "Thank You, and what prompted you to bring these?" My “professional mind” races to the absurd; since we’re suppose to keep everything the client brings to session in their records, how will those cookies stand up for 7 years in my filing cabinet,
APA makes no stance so I refer to the the ACA ethical statement and find it thoughtful and comprehensive. "Counselors understand the challenges of accepting gifts from clients and recognize that in some cultures, small gifts are a token of respect and showing gratitude. When determining whether or not to accept a gift from clients, counselors take into account the therapeutic relationship, the monetary value of the gift, a client's motivation for giving the gift, and the counselor's motivation for wanting or declining the gift."
As in many issues in professional practice, there is no black and white solution, yes/no. The process, again, is the key. Here are some process ideas:
- Check your license’s or certification’s guidelines.
- Ask your malpractice carrier how they would prefer you handle small holiday gifts.
- Talk about the issue in supervision (you ARE in supervision aren’t you?).
- Check out the following resources that have explored the issue.
Finally, come up with a solution that works for you so next year you can relax and enjoy the holidays free of “client gift-giving angst.”
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