What are some signs that a therapist may have poor boundaries with their clients?
12.06.2025 00:16

Frequent phoning or texting of clients to “check up on them and make sure they’re OK.”
Failing to mention the client in supervision/consultation, out of fear the supervisor/consultant will advise return to ordinary healthy boundaries.
Session-expressed curiosities about client details not relevant to the therapy.
At what stage in your life did you realize, "No, I can't do this any more" and walk out? Why?
Eager anticipation (or anxious anticipation) of the next session in ways that distract.
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:
Has anyone ever participated in a gang bang and what was it like?
General Introduction to Boundaries from Panahi Counseling:
Obsessing about clients outside of work hours.
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.
How do I get over a long-term relationship breakup?
Struggling with fantasies of deeper connections with clients, whether sexual or parental or other intense or intimate relationships beyond psychotherapy.
Routinely going over the time limit with certain patients, compromising the time for the next client.
Serious disappointment when the client cancels a session.
Do you have any problem dating a younger man?
Sense of competition with persons who are important in the client’s life.