Logo

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

Last Updated: 19.06.2025 10:35

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.

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

'Kindness isn't a weakness,' Steve Carell tells Northwestern grads at commencement - Chicago Sun-Times

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

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.

Has any man licked his wife's vagina while another man had sex with her?

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

EchoStar Soars 49% As Trump Urges FCC To Settle Dispute - Investor's Business Daily

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.

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

Is it socially acceptable for individuals to wear clothing typically associated with the opposite gender? What are some reasons for or against this practice?

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