Communication boundaries (policy) (Associate Handbook)
Audience: Associates
Goal: Protect client safety and ensure therapy work stays contained within the clinical container (session time).
Core principle
For many reasons related to client safety and best interests, please keep communication about the client’s therapy process contained within session time whenever possible.
What is appropriate for between-session messages
Between sessions, please keep messages brief and focused on logistics, such as:
- scheduling/rescheduling
- confirming modality (in-person vs online) and how the link will be received
- quick clarifying questions needed to run the next appointment safely
What to avoid between sessions
Please avoid engaging in long or detailed emails/texts about:
- therapy content
- processing emotions in depth
- conflict resolution
- risk/safety discussion beyond immediate triage
If a client sends a long message about their therapy process, please acknowledge receipt briefly and invite the discussion into the next session (or schedule an earlier session if clinically indicated).
Communication boundaries for parents of child clients
Parents may send inquiries about their child’s therapy process.
- Parents can use text or email when communicating about logistics (e.g., when sessions are booked, scheduling, rescheduling, cancellations).
- For longer, more detailed communication about the child’s therapy process, please ask the parent to book a parenting session with you.
- This session can be shorter than the standard one-hour session if preferred (per clinic session type setup).
If a client has urgent safety concerns
Please follow the clinic’s safety/escalation guidance: