Boundary Violations Physicians

Question: Is there a difference between a boundary crossing and boundary violation? Explain Answer: Boundary Crossing and Boundary Violation in psychotherapy refer to any deviation from traditional therapy which involves sessions only in the office. Non-traditional therapy could be a home or hospital visit, attending client wedding, lunch with client etc. Maintaining a professional relationship varies from client to client and should be tailored to meet the clients needs (Hamel, 2014). Therapist/Physicians behavior towards the patient should always be in the patients best interest thus strengthening the therapist-client relationship. Boundary Crossing and Boundary Violation can arise from either patient or the therapist. Boundary crossings once incorporated in the plan are harmless, supportive of the therapy and can be beneficial to the patient. Boundary Violations are potentially harmful to the patient and the therapy session (Kilpatrick and Wilson, 2013). Boundary Crossings occur when the therapists provide moral support to the patients and make them feel comfortable and assist them with the tasks they otherwise would be hesitant for example, assisting them for a dreaded yet important doctors appointment or meeting with family members and discussing the problem to find a solution (Hamel, 2014). Boundary Violation occurs when the therapist is engaged in sexual contacts or exploitative business relationship and breaking the therapist-client confidentiality (Kilpatrick and Wilson, 2013). Professional Associations do not prohibit Boundary Crossing but prohibit Boundary Violation. To conclude, yes, Boundary Crossing and Boundary Violations are different. References Hamel, L. (2014). Boundary Violation in Common Law and Psychoanalysis.International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, 11(3), pp.265-268. Kilpatrick, S. and Wilson, B. (2013). Boundary crossing organizations in regional innovation systems.Regional Science Policy Practice, 5(1), pp.67-82.