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The ethical and therapeutic implications of receiving gifts from clients are explored. The Importance of the Issue is noted, and relevant ethical considerations are discussed. Therapeutic meanings that underlie client gift-giving are explored. By integrating the ethical and therapeutic considerations, four general categories of gifts are identified. Specific therapeutic responses to each category are identified and briefly discussed.
It is not unusual for clients to bestow gifts upon their mental health counselors who, as a consequence, experience positive, negative, and mixed emotions (Spandler, Burman, Goldberg, Margison, & Amos, 2000). In such situations, mental health professionals must manage personal emotions and behavior adequately in order to respond therapeutically. However, little attention is given to such therapeutic events in graduate training. In addition, few guidelines on appropriate therapeutic responses to client gift-giving have been developed. Such client behavior can have important ethical and therapeutic implications (Beier & Young, 1998; Cappa, 2001; Dodds, 1985; Gartrell, 1992; Kritzberg, 1980; Spandler et al.). Yet, there is frequently professional ambivalence toward this topic that is, perhaps, reflected in the dearth of existent professional literature on giftgiving. As Spangler et al. note, although "there is a vast general literature on 'gifts,' this is not the case in psychotherapy where an intriguing silence predominates" (p. 80).
The purpose of this article is to explore ethical and therapeutic issues that are relevant in client gift-giving situations. First, the extent and nature of client gift-giving are discussed. second, relevant ethical and therapeutic issues are identified. A scheme for categorizing and assessing gift-giving behavior is developed. Finally, several general suggestions are given for handling these incidents.
THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF CLIENT GIFT-GIVING IN COUNSELING
Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Gove, 1993) defines a gift as "something that is voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation" (p. 953). The inherent value of the gift might be monetary, but can also be psychological and symbolic. The recipient knowingly recognizes its gift status and accepts it as such. There is no prior claim upon the gift by the recipient. In addition, the recipient is under no obligation to pay for it in the future.
It is not unusual for mental health counselors to receive gifts from clients, although few studies have been conducted to investigate...