Necessary Boundaries for a Healthy Counseling Relationship.  An effective relationship between patients and therapists is based on boundaries. Clear and concise boundaries are what define the framework of what the counseling sessions represent. While some boundaries are definitive enough, others need to be established through complex and objective decision-making, which is only possible through open channels of communication.

Importance of Boundaries

The prime examples of a boundary violation, in terms of counseling relationships, are sexual contact with the clients, coerced business relationships, a therapist using the client as a medium to unload their own feelings, etc.

Crossing these boundaries, whether written or by word-of-mouth, can result in increased emotional trauma for the patient, the onset of which may not appear instantaneously. However, some argue that boundaries are exactly what hinder the healing process and crossing them can be, clinically helpful.

However, if therapists start crossing boundaries, clients are no longer protected from the intrusion of others; such as the therapist, into their private space, or what they regard personal. In such circumstances, clients are bound to feel manipulated, violated or otherwise mistreated.

The aim of counseling is not to further worsen your psychological state, but to help you realize your strength, and find ways to cope with your emotional distresses. However, violating boundaries can result in the client distrusting their therapist, which serves the exact opposite function, as opposed to what counseling is all about.

Instituting Boundaries

Setting a boundary isn’t just about drawing a line between yourself and your therapist, and expecting them not to cross it. In most cases, it is true that the boundaries laid out are imperative for your healing process. For example, if your relationship with your therapist is more personal than professional, you may not want to discuss embarrassing memories, such as a  traumatic childhood event.

When establishing boundaries to ensure a healthy counseling relationship, you need to identify the behaviors that you find acceptable or distressful.

Once you decide upon the crucial boundaries that you need to maintain, you need to be assertive and authoritative about it. If you are a ‘pleaser’ (someone who keeps saying ‘yes’ to please people regardless of your own discomfort), this might seem particularly difficult. The same level of difficulty might also be faced by an individual who grew up in a situation where the concept of healthy boundaries wasn’t respected, and forcefully asserting their boundaries might make them feel guilty.

As a therapist, you must also keep in mind that if you find a perfect solution for your client, but it crosses certain boundaries, it is your ethical duty to look for another way. Similarly, if the client tries to cross your boundaries, you must keep them in check; not only to help them heal better but also to ethically perform your duty as a licensed professional.

Clinical & Ethical Boundaries

All therapists and counselors must keep in mind the code of ethics in psychotherapy and counseling, and the boundaries set by the American Psychiatric Associations and American Counseling Association. Some of the codes set, pertaining to the boundaries necessary between counselors and clients are:

• Keep in mind the Therapy, Setting, Therapeutic relationship, and Client factors. These include age, gender, culture, trauma’s nature, etc.
• Find the difference between, when treatment plans necessitate boundary crossing, and when they do not.
• Conduct risk/benefit analysis before crossing boundaries.
• Consider the effectiveness of crossing boundaries before doing so, especially in a dual relationship
• Do not cross boundaries with people with borderline or complete personality disorders, unless absolutely necessary.

These are only a few of the guidelines regarding therapeutic counseling.

For any relationship to be healthy and effective, mutually agreed upon boundaries are needed for both sides. Be it between friends, siblings, or peers.  If you feel like your relationship is suffering, due to another’s disrespect of your boundaries, you shouldn’t be afraid to tell them. At the end of the day, establishing and maintaining clear boundaries is a practice we must all undertake in our daily lives to avoid the emotional and mental stresses that come along with being taken advantage of.