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

Last Updated: 19.06.2025 00:13

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

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

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.

While on the surface of the moon, why isn’t the Apollo 11 spacesuit inflated like a balloon from the 3.7 psi internal pressure?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

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

What is the best/cute/funny/playful chat/conversation between brother and sister?

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

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.

Does the interpretation of the Book of בראשית create in all generations the Chosen Cohen People יש מאין?

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

What is something you saw while on an airplane that you couldn't believe?

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