What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundarie...

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

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.

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

Off the top of my ancient head:

What thing happened to you as a child that you haven’t let go of to this day?

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

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

How is it, in the USA, a country with 334 million people, the choice of President comes down to two aged men, one of whom is a liar as well as a criminal, one who appears to be on his way to dementia. Surely a democratic country can put up better?

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.

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

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

Why did it take seven days for troops with helicopters, equipment, supplies, food, and water to be dispatched to southeast storm zones?

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

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

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