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

Last Updated: 02.07.2025 03:10

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.

Off the top of my ancient head:

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

What are examples of real life forced feminization?

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

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.

What contributed to the popularity of The Beatles' song 'Yesterday'? Was it due to its simplicity, lyrics, or other factors?

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

Matthew Schaefer honors late mother after getting selected first overall by New York Islanders in NHL draft - CNN

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

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.

What is your favourite true story to tell at a party?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.