Logo

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

Last Updated: 22.06.2025 01:54

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

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

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

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

Should Pete Rose's record as the all-time hits leader be recognized and celebrated?

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

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

Do married men know when their wives are having affairs?

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

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

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

How do you cope when your mother doesn't love you?

Off the top of my ancient head:

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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.

Cognitive changes before DBS not a dementia risk factor in Parkinson’s - Parkinson's News Today

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.