Topic 5 DQ2: What are some potential consequences if a professional has loose or poor professional boundaries? What are some factors that may make it difficult to maintain professional boundaries?

According to Gutheil & Gabbard, 1993, boundaries between professionals and clients come in many forms and
exist in various influential contexts. There are multiple consequences and influences that stems from a
professional behavioral health care worker demonstrating loose or poor boundaries with their clients. These
unintentional/intentional actions may make it problematic to maintain professional boundaries with their clients.
Crisscrossing boundaries has many impending effects. “Nonsexual boundary crossings can enrich
psychotherapy, serve the treatment plan, and strengthen the therapist-client working relationship. They can also
undermine the therapy, disrupt the therapist-patient alliance, and cause harm to clients” The client may not be
given suitable or supportive services if boundaries are crossed, which could affect his or her motivation to
accept future services. The client may feel betrayed, abandoned, and poorly served. The professional may act
deceitfully. The reputation of the professional’s agency and profession may be compromised and the
professional and client may be emotionally traumatized and put in physical danger (Koocher and Spiegel,
2008).
Some professional situation may not feel justifiable in certain circumstances. Making sure that the client and
professional stay away from irrelevant encounters and conversation is the key part to practicing professional
boundaries with clients.
Gutheil TG, Gabbard GO: The concept of boundaries in clinical practice: theoretical and risk-management
dimensions. Am J Psychiatry 1993; 150:188-196