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

Last Updated: 17.06.2025 01:16

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

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:

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

Why are there posts saying the T in LGBT should be dropped? With what is happening in the US and beyond against the trans community cause for concern that if this is accepted could it be deemed acceptable to start on the LGB community again?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

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

Why would an older small breed dog become obsessive about hygiene?

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.

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

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

Why isn't bestiality illegal in most states? If children can't consent, then animals DEFINITELY can't consent. Why is being a pedophile a crime but zoophilia is not?

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

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

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

How can a native English speaker say "it was nice talking to you" in French without using that exact phrase?

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