When a psychologist has one or more relationship roles beyond the professional one with their patient, this is referred to as:

• A. role reversal.
• B. multiple personalities.
• C. role accommodation.
• D. multiple relationships.

Answer: (D)

Maintaining professional boundaries in therapy is essential, and when a psychologist has more than one role with the same person beyond the therapeutic relationship, that is called a multiple relationship. This term captures the situation where the clinician is involved in additional roles—such as a friend, family member, business associate, or romantic partner—while also providing care. These extra roles can cloud judgment, create conflicts of interest, and blur the lines between professional and personal interactions, increasing the risk of harm to the client or the therapy’s effectiveness.

The other terms don’t fit this scenario. Dissociating into multiple personalities is a clinical disorder (not about relationship boundaries). Role reversal and role accommodation aren’t standard terms used to describe the ethical issue at hand.