What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
13.06.2025 04:19
Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
These items can happen fleetingly, briefly, in any therapy, but if they’re frequent, it’s definitely time for the therapist to get some good, solid supervision/consultation.
Paris Baguette: The Korean bakery that wants to make croissants less French - BBC
General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:
Disclosing feelings, fantasies, and experiences to the client in ways not related to the work the client is engaged in.
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
At what stage in your life did you realize, "No, I can't do this any more" and walk out? Why?
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
Is it okay for a wife who comes home from a date to tell her husband what she did?
Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.
Off the top of my ancient head:
Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.
Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.