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

10.06.2025 12:19

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

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.

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

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

Do all therapists specialize in one specific type of therapy, or are they trained in multiple types?

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

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

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

What's the most incredible coincidence that ever happened to you?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

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

What is music publishing?

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

What is the logic behind the porn being legal but not prostitution? Isn't it the same thing in essence?

Off the top of my ancient head: