MAINTAINING BOUNDARIES

How can therapists be sure that they are maintaining professional boundaries if they are open with their history of challenges?

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As outlined in the College of OTs of Ontario's Standards for Professional Boundaries, "A boundary is the implicit or explicit demarcation separating the professional relationship with a client from one that is personal."

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Sharing one's own history of challenges is inherently personal, and the therapeutic relationship needs to be a professional relationship - not a personal one. However, market research among consumer-survivor groups has shown that most service users or potential service users appreciate knowing that their therapist has gone through challenges of their own. 

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At Prevailing Minds, we abide by the following code of ethics to reconcile these points and to provide effective and safe client care:

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1. Therapists engage in specificity regarding self-disclosure if and only if the self-disclosure is determined by all parties to benefit the client (eg. to build rapport, foster trust, encourage commitment to strategies/approaches, etc.)

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2. Therapists do not seek to gain anything personally by engaging in self-disclosure

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3. Details shared in self-disclosure are details that are only relevant to client care

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4. Client feedback is solicited and incorporated on a regular basis

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5. Reflective practice is paramount, eg. be aware of potential boundary crossings, consider and address changes in therapeutic relationship, etc. 

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6. Therapists do not engage in any relationship with clients outside of the therapeutic relationship

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If you have questions or concerns regarding the above, feel free to contact us.

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