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

Last Updated: 02.07.2025 02:01

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

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

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.”

Meta Ray-Ban Glasses are at their Lowest Price Ever: Deal of the Day - NBC News

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.

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

'RuPaul's Drag Race' queen Ginger Minj reveals autism diagnosis after 'All Stars 10' psych exam - Entertainment Weekly

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

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

How do I cut off friends that don't contribute to my life?

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

How likely is it to make a living out of being a window cleaner in a Nordic country?

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.