b'PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS|Setting Parameters forships given the fact their personal boundaries werent respected at a young age.Patient and TherapistWhen boundaries are not put in place, the relationship between therapist and client runs the risk of causing more psychological issues Contact for the latter. Patients who have borderline personality disorder, for example, are very sensitive to the way others treat them. The Boundaries must be put in place in order toAmerican Psychiatric Association explains that these patients may misinterpret cer-maintain a healthy professional relationshiptain reactions as hurtful, like a therapist not By Chelsea Lacey-Mabe answering a phone call. 2People with this dis-order often have rapidly changing perceptions of their body image from extremely positive to L ike all healthcare professionals, mentalwhat the American Counseling Associationextremely negative; therefore, a mental health health workers such as therapists anddefines as extending counseling boundariesprofessional would refrain from compliment-psychologists must also follow a set ofbecause it involves extenuating circumstances.ing such patients on their physical appearance ethics that dictate the relationship they haveIn its 2014 Code of Ethics, the organization out- or attire. 3with their patients. Equally important as thelines that professional precautions should beBoundaries are essential to achieve healthy ethics of client confidentiality is the principletaken in these types of situations and shouldand appropriate relationships, not only of setting up parameters for contact. Mentalbe documented. 1 between a patient and therapist but also for health professionals must decide if and whenSometimes a therapist may decide thatevery professional and personal relationship.nto take phone calls from patients, whethera thoughtful gesture or contact outside of a theyll acknowledge them in a public settingtherapy session is not in the best interest ofChelsea Lacey-Mabe is a former staff writer and if its appropriate to give them a reassuringthe client. This may be the case if a patient isat ADVANCE.hug or handshake after a session. in therapy because he is trying to cope with Creating these boundaries can serve as aa relatives chronic illness or even the poten- REFERENCESmatter of convenience for the therapist. Fortial for a loss, which places the patient in an1. American Counseling Association. 2014 example, psychologists may place limits onextremely vulnerable position. TreatmentACA Code of Ethics. http://bit.ly/1lSBtvAwhat times a patient can call their personalBoundary Violations: Clinical, Ethical, and2. Journal of the American Academy of cell phone so as not to disrupt family mealtime. Legal Considerations, a paper publishedPsychiatry and the Law Online. 1992. These parameters, however, are ultimatelyin the Journal of the American Academy ofTreatment Boundary Violations: Clinical, put in place to serve the patient. When aPsychiatry and the Law Online, explains thatEthical, and Legal Considerations. http://patient has a sick family member in the hos- patients who have been physically or sexuallybit.ly/1SMzE1spital, his therapist may deem it acceptable toabused as children are also increasingly vul- 3. American Psychiatric Association. 2001. show the client compassion by visiting that rel- nerable. 1This is because theyre more likelyBorderline Personality Disorder. http://bit.ative in the hospital or sending flowers. This isto have a skewed idea of appropriate relation- ly/1NDQo2V20 MENTAL HEALTH|2019| www.elitecme.com'