Page 29 - Part A

Counselling Skills

Boundaries to consider when starting a new helping relationship

Boundaries also apply in counselling or helping relationships. Explore this now in
more detail.

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.

These boundaries can be vertically agreed – meaning formally written up and signed
as a professional document. Agreements will usually state:

• Confidentiality is essential in most helping relationships and must be
maintained, except in circumstances where a child or adult is at risk
of harm or abuse, or where a crime might be, or has been, committed.
Also make the client aware that their information will be shared with
a supervisor.

• Touching is usually limited to none – even a hand on the shoulder should
be viewed with caution as it could be intrusive or perceived as an assault.

• Phone calls and emails may not be deemed to be appropriate at all, or
could be negotiated if the helper has a professional telephone number and
email address.

• Managing possible self-harm should be negotiated and is often the point at
which the client should be referred to other professionals.

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