What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
12.06.2025 10:42
Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.
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.
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
What is the sluttiest thing your wife has ever done?
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.
Have you ever been forced to dress like a girl?
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.
Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Off the top of my ancient head:
What parts of the Bible, if any, are inappropriate to read to children? Why?
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.
General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:
Why am I dreaming of people I've never seen before?
Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.