A professional relationship between the social worker and the client would NOT include?

• A. An arena for a transference relationship in which the worker encourages the client to explore early libidinal fears with the aim of reenacting them in the worker client relationship.
• B. A respectful, confidential, and ethical boundary that protects the client.
• C. A collaborative process that emphasizes client empowerment.
• D. Clear expectations and limits of confidentiality.

Answer: (A)

Professional relationships with clients hinge on clear boundaries, ethical limits, and collaborative empowerment while safeguarding confidentiality. Transference is a real phenomenon where clients project feelings onto the worker, but a professional stance does not invite or encourage acting on those feelings for the purpose of reenacting them in the relationship. Encouraging a client to explore early libidinal fears with the aim of reenacting them in the worker–client relationship crosses ethical lines, risks exploitation, and undermines safety and objectivity. In contrast, a respectful, confidential, and ethical boundary protects the client; a collaborative process emphasizes client empowerment; and clear expectations and limits of confidentiality help them understand what to expect and what is protected, all of which support effective and ethical practice.