What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
Last Updated: 18.06.2025 00:32
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
Off the top of my ancient head:
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.
Have you ever answered your door in lingerie?
Disclosing feelings, fantasies, and experiences to the client in ways not related to the work the client is engaged in.
Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.
How do flat Earthers explain the existence of other spherical planets?
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.
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.
I am glad you enjoyed my pictures. Do you have any photos to share?
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:
Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.
What do all Indian parents have in common?
Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.