Creating Healthy Clinical Boundaries With Patients and Clients

In our work helping our clients and patients, creating boundaries can be hard. We audiologists and speech-language pathologists do this work because we care, and we care deeply. We want to be there for our patients and their families. We want them to know we care, and we want them to feel supported. Additionally, in our professions, we often see patients every week and sometimes multiple times a week. We develop bonds formed on the foundations of trust and compassion. However, if we aren’t careful, the line between healthy and unhealthy boundaries can blur. We might not even realize we have moved beyond healthy boundaries with clients, patients, students, or families until a limit gets pushed. Sometimes we even burn out because we didn’t set intentional and clear boundaries. Boundaries provide a strong framework for building great relationships. They allow us to set guidelines on what we will and won’t do with a clear conscience. Through proper boundaries and clear communication about our boundaries, we show care and respect to clients and their families. How can we create healthy boundaries to help us provide the best care? First, setting boundaries doesn’t signal you don’t care or that you are selfish … quite the opposite. Boundaries show you value a relationship enough to be thoughtful about making sure it thrives. Also, don’t assume others will be put off by boundaries. Many people will respect you and be glad to know where they stand. Steps to creating ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Audiology Health Care Private Practice Slider Speech-Language Pathology Early Intervention Practice Management Source Type: blogs