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

Last Updated: 03.07.2025 03:35

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.

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

Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.

‘The View’ Hosts Divided Over Patti LuPone Apology: ‘I Just Was Raised Differently, Clearly’ - TheWrap

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.

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

I’m worried I have a bat bite on my hand, I have two small marks about 1 cm apart. I haven’t been in contact with a bat but I’m worried about at night. My fingers have a slight tingling sensation and my arm feels cold but isn’t. Am I ok?

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

General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:

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

Ossett prostate cancer patient urges men to have checks - BBC

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.

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

Vel expedita omnis impedit modi earum itaque ut.

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