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

14.06.2025 11:24

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

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

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

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

Why does my crush always looks at me in a sad way whenever I talk with other boys, and if he catch me staring on him then he go and flirt with other girls and then check if I am looking at him?

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

Off the top of my ancient head:

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

What is the most unwatchable movie you have sat through?

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

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.

What is the most heartbreaking thing your child has told you?

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.

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

Why can't my adopted sister accept she is not part of my family because she isn't related? Why can't she stop calling my parents mum and dad?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.