Page 32 - PartA

Counselling Skills

Boundaries to consider when starting a new helping relationship

It is necessary to establish clear boundaries at the beginning of the relationship.
However, the boundaries that are set will depend on the type of helping relationship
that you are engaged in and the norms that are applied in different organisations. For
example, counselling sessions funded under the NHS when a client is referred by a GP
normally last for six sessions and each session is one hour in duration.

Boundaries may include:

• The duration of the relationship

• The duration of each session

• Limits of confidentiality

• Appropriate touching

• Appropriate duration of phone calls

• Sending and responding to emails

• Strategies for managing episodes of self-harm – for example, depending on
organisational policy, referring a client in relation to self-harm could be
perceived as punishment.

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