What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
12.06.2025 00:00
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
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:
Why do I feel worthless most of the time?
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
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.
What are your darkest taboo confessions?
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.
Off the top of my ancient head:
What do you think of Tesla's Model Y coming in ninth among electric cars sales in Europe?
Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.
Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.
What was your worst experience while living with roommates?
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.