Relationship Boundaries

Abstract

The concept of worker/client boundaries (the assumed and sometimes unspoken rules that people internalize about the physical and emotional limits of their relationships with others) is important to all types of social work. The various social work practice theories include different assumptions about appropriate boundaries and thus it is important to closely examine this concept. The major aspects of worker/client boundaries include contact time, the types of information that are appropriate to share, physical closeness of the parties, the range of emotions that is appropriate to share, and the physical space in which the interaction takes place. Both personal and professional boundaries and how they interact to influence relationships with clients are considered.