Preventing Boundary Violations in Clinical Practice

by Thomas G. Gutheil, Archie Brodsky

What do you do when you run into a patient in a public place? How do you respond when a patient suddenly hugs you at the end of a session? Do you accept a gift that a patient brings to make up for causing you some inconvenience? Questions like these—which virtually all clinicians face at one time or another—have serious clinical, ethical, and legal implications. This authoritative, practical book uses compelling case vignettes to show how a wide range of boundary questions arise and can be responsibly resolved as part of the process of therapy. Coverage includes role reversal, gifts, self-disclosure, out-of-office encounters, physical contact, and sexual misconduct. Strategies for preventing boundary violations and managing associated legal risks are highlighted.

Genres: Psychology

340 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2008

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book on what constitutes boundary violations vs boundary crossings in clinical practice. One of the only books I've read that recommends an equal measure of convention and professional judgment in assessing what is appropriate behaviour within the therapeutic frame. Good use of case studies.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for references on boundary issues in clinical practice with plenty of case studies to examine.