Logo

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

10.06.2025 07:20

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

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

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.

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

"It Seems Like Science Fiction”: Researchers Unleash Breakthrough Tracking Technology Using Environmental DNA - The Debrief

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

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.

This nonhormonal hot-flash remedy gives options to women, experts say - The Washington Post

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

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

Tom Aspinall wishes Jon Jones well in retirement, declares himself ‘undisputed’ UFC champion - MMA Fighting

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

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

First Day of Roots Picnic Was an "Absolute Disaster," Fans Say - Philadelphia Magazine

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