What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
11.06.2025 00:29
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:
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.
Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.
Disclosing feelings, fantasies, and experiences to the client in ways not related to the work the client is engaged in.
What are some things that children used to wait for, but are no longer common in today's society?
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Why did lobsters evolve bright colors if they are neither poisonous nor venomous?
Off the top of my ancient head:
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.
Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.
Why do I sweat between my legs all the time, top off my legs, all way down?
Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.