PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES. I understand that psychotherapy is a professional relationship. Though my provider cares deeply about my life, the relationship is different from a friendship. This means I will not friends with my provider on social media or see my provider outside of sessions simply because the professional boundaries for mental health providers do not allow for it. In additional, I understand ethical boundaries prevent my provider from having both concurrent personal and professional relationships with me and/or my family members or from having a personal relationship with me following the termination of our work together in psychotherapy.
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES. By my own ethics, professional ethics, and state law, as a licensed clinical mental health counselor I am obligated to establish and maintain an appropriate professional relationship with current and former clients, and clients’ family members. Because of the unique nature of the counseling relationship and the need to protect clients from harm or exploitation, I must maintain clinical boundaries which do not compromise the counseling role. For example, I will not socialize with, be a friend to, or become sexually involved with a client or client’s family member. However, since I practice in a small community, it is not always possible to avoid dual relationships. If this happens, we will discuss the potential benefits and difficulties involved, including the possible impact on your therapy. It will be your responsibility to advise me if the dual relationship becomes uncomfortable to you in any way. I will do my best to honor your feedback and we can decide together how to proceed if it is interfering with your therapy or your welfare. In such a situation, you can be assured that I will never acknowledge that you are a client unless I have your written permission. New Hampshire state law states that you have the right to report inappropriate actions by me or any other healthcare professional to the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice, at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx – Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Concord, NH 03301, 603-‐271-‐6762. You may also contact the two professional organizations to which I belong with any concerns about my conduct: The American Mental Health Counselors Association (800-‐326-‐2642) and The New Hampshire Mental Health Counselors Association (xxxxxx.xxx).
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES. We take seriously our responsibility for the protection of staff, volunteers and guests. So, all staff and volunteers are required to recognise the potential for the boundaries between their work and private lives to be compromised. So we ask that all volunteers work within the following guidelines: • The personal phone numbers or addresses of staff/volunteers must not be given to service users. • The same applies to any other personal information about staff/volunteers that is not genuinely required in order for the service to be delivered. • Volunteers must not to talk about BCARS guests on social media; occasionally BCARS and Faithworks … and this is what we ask from you We have learnt from previous years and from some helpful good practice used by other such projects to formulate some guidelines for our volunteers A few “Do’s”:
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES. As this is meant to be a safe environment for you to examine the issues which brought you to therapy, I must ethically follow certain rules about our therapeutic relationship. I cannot participate in what is called a “dual relationship” with you or any of my clients. This means that I cannot become friends, socialize, date, or enter into business relationships with any of my clients. I realize there may be times when I may see you in a public setting. Please know that I will honor your confidentiality and not approach you if I see you in public. In this way you would not have to explain to anyone you’re with how you know me. If you feel comfortable approaching me in public to say hello, I am happy to return the greeting.
PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES. In alignment with the ethics of the California Association and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, I maintain professional and ethical boundaries. To provide the best care and protect the therapeutic relationship, I will hold the boundaries of our relationship and consider your best interests first. During our sessions we will focus on your life, treatment and progress. As a rule, I will not accept invitations to attend clients’ personal events such as; graduations, milestone events, weddings, religious celebrations, etc. Additionally, out of respect for your confidentiality, if we run into each other outside my office, you may acknowledge me but I will not be the first to approach you. Please do not be offended, these guidelines are to protect your privacy and the integrity of our therapeutic relationship. If you are uncomfortable or do not feel you are progressing, please let me know and I will suggest treatment alternatives, provide referrals to other qualified practitioners and/or recommend terminating therapy. You may choose discontinue therapy at any time, however prior to ending treatment, I strongly recommend a “final session” where we can have formal closure to our time together.
