Logo

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

Last Updated: 22.06.2025 00:34

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

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.

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

Does wearing earbuds cause potential physical health problems as the dirty, bacteria laden slabs of wax get pushed up into the ear canal and can't come out? You tell me. I'm not a doctor or nuthin'.

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.

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

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

Why do almost all vertebrates have tails, but not apes and frogs?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

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

How could NASA possibly land on the moon when it's impossible to reach the moon through the Earth's dome? Why are they making up such an obvious lie?

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

Off the top of my ancient head:

Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.

Stunning 'Solar Curtains' Phenomenon Revealed on The Sun in New Images - ScienceAlert

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