A working group comprised of members from the section on rural and northern psychology of the Canadian Psychology Association conducted an environmental scan of existing resources and literature to aid in the creation of guidelines to support the ethical navigation of dual relationships (DRs) in rural, northern, and remote (RNR) areas of Canada.  A dual role exists when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and simultaneously in another role with the same person, or with someone closely associated with, or related to, that person. As an example, one might be a therapist and a neighbour, a therapist and a business partner, or a therapist and a colleague. Dual relationships can create ethical dilemmas because they can blur boundaries, potentially compromise objectivity.  This presentation, given by 3 of the working group's members, including one of the co-chairs, is a summary of what they found. It will include an overview of the different types of DRs documented and a discussion of the various themes identified (e.g., the impact of euro-western ethical perspective, urban-bias, professional isolation & lack of community voice). Attendees will leave with suggestions on how they determine whether a DR is problematic and preventative measures they can consider implementing with ample time for discussion at the end.

Amanda Lints-Martindale, PhD,C.Psych is an assistant professor within the Department of Clinical Health Psychology with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Manitoba, Consulting Clinical Psychologist in Steinbach MB a rural community within Southern Health-Santé Sud region and is past chair of the CPA’s section on rural and northern psychology. She co-chairs the working group. 

Tanya Dawn McDougall (Dipiskew geezik) is from St. Theresa Point Ansininew Nation, a remote First Nation community in northern Manitoba. She has a Master's in Educational Administration and a Masters in School Psychology and serves her home community as a mental health advocate in the school.  

Veronica Hutchings, PhD, R. Psych is an associate professor at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus where her primary duties involve the provision of psychological services to the students of the campus.  She is the current chair of the Canadian Psychology Association’s section on rural and northern psychology and an associate editor for the Journal of Rural Mental Health.

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Location: Via Zoom

Date and Time: Friday, Mar. 21 at 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM (NDT)

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