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What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?

Last Updated: 20.06.2025 05:26

What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?

Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”

Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.

Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.

Why do US military soldiers/officers have a chest full of medal ribbons when they probably haven't been in a combat situation? Are the medals for attendance, good behaviour, or long service perhaps?

Disclosing feelings, fantasies, and experiences to the client in ways not related to the work the client is engaged in.

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

Off the top of my ancient head:

What are some effective ways to cope with loss and grief?

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.

Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

What are some alternatives to wearing a bra? Why do some women feel pressure to wear bras even though there may not be any benefits?

Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.

Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

Does believing in God and Satan cause schizophrenia?

Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.