What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundarie...

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

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:

What does it mean when I have a dream where my friend died? I had this dream last night where one of my friends died in a shootout and I woke up crying.

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

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

Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.

When a dog smells another dog’s poo or wee, do they then remember that scent for when they smell it again, or even further know which dog they are smelling if they know the dog?

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

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.

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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.

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

Off the top of my ancient head:

Why do men date women they are not really interested in?

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

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

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