Question
What is the difference between appropriate boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations?
Answer
It is crucial to understand the distinctions between appropriate boundaries, boundary crossings, and boundary violations. An appropriate boundary refers to the expected professional relationship between a social worker and a client. Social workers typically provide services like assessment and intervention, which may involve cognitive behavioral intervention, group facilitation, or family counseling. However, engaging in intimate or friendship relationships, such as taking clients to dinner or engaging in romantic relationships, falls outside the realm of what is considered appropriate. Boundary violations, on the other hand, involve a clear breach of the social work code of ethics, which explicitly prohibits certain relationships, including romantic or intimate ones with clients. These violations are prohibited and can result in serious consequences.
Between these two extremes, we have boundary crossings, which occur when social workers engage in actions outside their ordinary interactions with clients but do not necessarily harm or pose a high risk to them. For instance, buying a meal for a displaced youth while doing outreach work, although considered a boundary crossing, can be authorized by the agency when providing tangible assistance.
It's important to note that boundary crossings can potentially evolve into boundary violations, especially when there are misinterpretations or if the social worker themselves starts to struggle with maintaining appropriate boundaries. Therefore, vigilance and careful monitoring of boundaries are essential to ensure ethical and professional conduct in social work practice.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Dual Relationships, Conflicts of Interest, and Professional Boundaries in Social Work Practice, presented by Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD
