Therapists in Oklahoma often practice in communities where overlapping relationships are unavoidable. Clients may also be neighbors, classmates of the therapist or the therapist’s child, church members, relatives of friends, or members of the same civic organizations. In rural communities, where anonymity can be harder to maintain than in urban settings, clinicians must balance professional boundaries with community involvement while continuing to provide ethical, competent care. Not all dual relationships are inherently unethical; however, therapists need clear strategies for managing dual relationships and related ethical challenges in ways that best serve the child and family.

Training Focus

·        Understand key differences between rural and urban communities and how those differences may affect therapy and play therapy.

·        Identify ethical challenges that commonly arise in rural therapy and play therapy practice.

·        Apply professional ethical codes to real-world rural practice dilemmas.