Logo

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

Last Updated: 26.06.2025 08:00

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.

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

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

Macklemore’s Seattle home reportedly robbed with his 3 children inside - New York Post

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

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

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

Stanford Scientists Develop Game-Changing New Way To Treat Stroke - SciTechDaily

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

I’ve a dismissive avoidant partner who said that he’s overwhelmed by our relationship and that he wants to break up, how do I get him back?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

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

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

UNC Botches Lead, Falls to Arizona in Super Regional Rubber Match - 247Sports

Off the top of my ancient head: