Guidance for Treating Individuals of the same Family

Treating members of the same family individually can be complex and requires careful ethical consideration. It is generally advised to be avoided but can be acceptable under certain circumstances such as shared event trauma, a lack of specialist Practitioners in the area, client choice of Practitioner, or a significant time lapse between discharging one family member and commencing therapy with another. The Practitioner will need to ensure they can maintain impartiality, and any potential conflict of interest that arises should be dealt with promptly and if necessary, brought up with their supervisor or the NCIP ethics committee.

This is an important topic, and it's crucial to ensure that the practice of treating members of the same family is handled ethically and professionally, prioritising the best interest of all clients involved. Here's an initial approach to creating guidelines for treating the same family members.  The step-by-step Flowchart is followed with a detailed explanation.

Single, Shared Event Trauma

When members of the same family are impacted by a single, shared event, Practitioners can offer treatment to multiple family members individually. This should be based on their professional judgment and the severity and nature of the trauma.

Lack of Trained Specialist Practitioners

In areas with a scarcity of Practitioners, it might be necessary to treat members of the same family. Practitioners must exercise professional judgment to ensure there are no conflicts of interest and that they can deliver unbiased and effective treatment.

Specialist Practitioner and Client Choice

Client autonomy and preference for a specific Practitioner are also important considerations. If a Practitioner feels competent and ethically comfortable to treat members of the same family, they can proceed with the necessary precautions and transparency.

Significant Time Lapse

Regarding the acceptable time lapse between discharging one family member and beginning treatment with another, this depends on the specific situation and context. As a general rule, a minimum of 6 months seems reasonable, but this should be evaluated case-by-case.

Conflict Resolution

If a conflict arises during therapy, it should be addressed immediately. If Practitioners believe that they cannot maintain an unbiased perspective or that they might be manipulated or involved in family disputes, they should either refer the client to another professional or explain their reasons for terminating the therapeutic process.

Supervision and Ethics Consultation

Practitioners should discuss concerns about treating members of the same family with their supervisors. If the issue remains unresolved, the NCIP Ethics Committee can be consulted.

Safeguarding Concerns

If a Practitioner has safeguarding concerns, they should consult the NCIP Safeguarding Policy and discuss these issues with their supervisor.

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