Logo

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

12.06.2025 02:00

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

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

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

NTSB finds fuel leak and improperly installed parts in the engine of an airliner that caught fire - AP News

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

PoGO This Week (June 2-8): G-Max Rillaboom, Groudon Raids & GO Fest JC - Pokémon GO Hub

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.

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

ispace's Resilience spacecraft lands on the moon this week: Here's how to see the landing zone on the lunar surface - Space

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

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.

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

Michigan International Speedway weekend schedule, TV info for NASCAR Cup, Truck, ARCA - NBC Sports

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