Logo

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

Last Updated: 26.06.2025 03:45

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

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.

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

IBM Stock Gains As Tech Giant Offers Plan For Quantum Computing's 'Next Frontier' - Investor's Business Daily

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

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

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.

The Witcher 4 is built for console first, CDPR confirms 60FPS is not guaranteed - TweakTown

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

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

Shakira Says Being an Immigrant in the U.S. Amid Trump’s Policies “Means Living in Constant Fear” - The Hollywood Reporter

Off the top of my ancient head:

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

What is the best sunscreen for oily skin without a white cast?

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