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Boundaries for Clinical Counsellors (Associate Handbook)

A. Primary Principle: Do No Harm

Clinicians must avoid actions that:

  • exploit
  • manipulate
  • coerce
  • abuse power

This applies physically, emotionally, socially, financially, and sexually.

Boundary violations are viewed through the lens of risk of harm, not just protocol violations.

B. Power Imbalance Awareness

Therapists hold authority and trust by virtue of their role. Therefore:

  • They must be careful not to use the relationship to meet their own needs.
  • They must avoid creating dependency or enabling transfer of power.

This applies even when intentions may be benevolent.

C. Dual (Multiple) Relationships

The Code generally states that clinicians should avoid dual relationships that could impair professional judgment or increase risk of harm.

Examples include:

  • friend/family relationships with a client
  • business relationships
  • social or romantic relationships

The clinician must evaluate:

  • whether the dual role can be avoided
  • if not, whether it can be managed ethically

Full avoidance is required where harm risk is significant.

D. Sexual and Intimate Contact

This section is explicit and strict:

  • A clinician must not have sexual or romantic contact with a client — and often not with a client’s family member or close relation either.

This includes:

  • before, during, or after therapy
  • even if both parties claim consent

Clinician must maintain professional distance.

E. Social Media and Contact Outside Therapy

The Code advises caution around:

  • friend requests
  • personal social media
  • texting outside secure channels
  • unplanned encounters

Clinicians should:

  • limit personal contact
  • establish communication norms
  • avoid blurring personal/professional spheres

F. Physical Contact

Touch is not prohibited per se, but it must be:

  • clinically justified
  • non-sexual
  • culturally sensitive
  • explicitly discussed with the client
  • documented if used as part of intervention

Clinicians should be cautious, especially if trauma history exists.

G. Gifts

Gifts should be handled carefully:

  • Small tokens may be accepted when appropriate
  • Value and meaning should be discussed
  • Significant or frequent gifts should be declined
  • Exchange should never be expected or encouraged

Boundary language here is about avoiding undue obligation or manipulation.

H. Termination and Follow-Up

Professional boundaries continue after therapy ends. Clinicians should:

  • manage termination ethically
  • avoid re-engaging in ways that confuse roles
  • limit social or clinical overlap afterward
  • provide appropriate referral if contact is re-requested

4. How These Guidelines Are Used in Practice

Documentation

Clinicians are expected to:

  • document boundary decisions
  • record rationale for permitted dual roles (if any)
  • note discussions with clients about limits

This is part of risk management and ethical accountability.

Supervision and Consultation

Clinicians are encouraged to talk with supervisors when:

  • boundary questions arise
  • dual relationships are proposed
  • social contact is requested
  • uncertainty exists

Discussion and documentation of supervision is part of ethical practice.

Communication with Clients

At intake or early in therapy, clinicians should:

  • explain the nature of the therapeutic relationship
  • clarify outside-of-session contact rules
  • discuss confidentiality and limits
  • set expectations for safe boundaries

This normalizes the limits rather than surprises clients later.

5. Example Boundary Language for Intake

Clinicians in BC often say something like:

“Our work together is focused on your wellbeing. Because of the power dynamics in therapy, I generally do not socialize with clients outside of session, and I do not connect on personal social media. If you have questions about professional boundaries at any time, we can talk about them.”

That simple language aligns with the Code without feeling clinical or confrontational.

6. Why BCACC’s Approach Is Structured This Way

Instead of checklist or do/don’t rules, the BCACC Code:

  • emphasizes clinical judgment + client dignity
  • frames boundaries as ethical responsibilities
  • prioritizes risk understanding
  • encourages reflection and supervision

This is consistent with modern Canadian counselling ethics.

Boundary guidance is therefore principle-based, not rigid formula.

7. Quick Reference: Boundary Triggers That Require Thoughtful Response

Clinicians should pause and consult (supervision, risk assessment) if they encounter:

  • ✔ Requests for personal contact
  • ✔ Gifts of high value
  • ✔ Client living in same community
  • ✔ Requests for social media connection
  • ✔ Invitations to social events
  • ✔ Repeated contact outside appointments
  • ✔ Offers of payment outside normal fees
  • ✔ Role confusion with family/friend systems
  • ✔ Past or current romantic feelings from client
  • ✔ Clinician attraction or countertransference

The Code doesn’t ban all these, but it requires ethical reflection and intentional decision making.

8. One-Sentence Summary of “Professional Boundaries” According to BCACC

Maintain relational roles that protect client autonomy and safety, avoid conflicts of interest or exploitative contact, and use clinical judgment supported by supervision when boundary complexities arise.