The ethics of non-sexual dual relationships: a dilemma for the rural mental health professional.

This paper reviews some of the issues that affect the rural mental health professional who wishes to maintain an ethical position with respect to non-sexual dual relationships. Although the ethical codes of professional regulating bodies provide general guidelines for professional conduct, they do not offer specific guidance for practical decision-making. Furthermore, there appear to be some contrasting opinions between the various ethical codes with respect to what would be considered unethical behavior in a non-sexual dual relationship. Alternative decision making models that may be of help to a rural practitioner for assessing the ethics of such a relationship are reviewed.