Professional Boundaries Policy

Helen Ward Therapy
Trading name of ResolvedRM Ltd

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: 30/05/26
Review Date: 30/05/27

1. Purpose

Helen Ward Therapy is committed to maintaining clear, ethical and appropriate professional boundaries within all therapeutic relationships.

Professional boundaries provide a safe framework that protects both clients and the therapist and supports the development of an effective therapeutic relationship.

Boundaries are not intended to create distance or reduce compassion. They provide clarity, consistency and safety, allowing therapy to remain focused on the client's needs and therapeutic goals.

This policy sets out the expectations and principles that guide professional boundaries within Helen Ward Therapy.

2. Professional Framework

This policy has been developed with reference to:

BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions;
UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR);
Data Protection Act 2018;
recognised ethical principles for counselling and psychotherapy practice.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

therapeutic sessions;
communication between sessions;
online and telephone contact;
social media interactions;
professional relationships;
gifts and exchanges;
confidentiality;
endings and transitions.

4. The Therapeutic Relationship

The therapeutic relationship is a professional relationship centred on the client's wellbeing, therapeutic needs and goals.

Helen Ward Therapy aims to provide a relationship that is:

respectful;
compassionate;
collaborative;
consistent;
boundaried;
psychologically safe.

The therapist holds responsibility for maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and ensuring that the therapeutic relationship remains focused on the client's needs.

5. Dual Relationships

A dual relationship occurs when a therapist has another significant role or relationship with a client outside of therapy.

Helen Ward Therapy recognises that dual relationships can create risks including:

conflicts of interest;
confusion of roles;
reduced therapeutic effectiveness;
compromised professional judgement.

Where possible, dual relationships will be avoided.

Where an unavoidable boundary complexity arises, it will be carefully considered with regard to:

client wellbeing;
ethical responsibilities;
professional judgement;
potential impact on the therapeutic relationship.

6. Communication Between Sessions

Communication outside scheduled sessions is limited to appropriate professional purposes, including:

arranging appointments;
administrative matters;
sharing agreed resources where appropriate.
Engage with agreed between-session therapeutic activities where appropriate, including recording and sharing reflections, observations and outcomes to support therapeutic review and the ongoing adaptation of interventions.

Clients should not use communication channels between sessions for urgent emotional support or crisis situations.

Helen Ward Therapy will respond within reasonable professional boundaries and cannot guarantee immediate availability.

Messages will be responded to as soon as possible with a standard response time of two working days.

7. Social Media and Online Presence

To protect confidentiality and professional boundaries:

Helen Ward Therapy does not accept personal social media connection requests from current or former clients;
clients are asked not to contact the therapist through personal social media messaging;
therapy-related discussions should not take place through social media platforms;
information shared publicly by clients about their therapeutic relationship cannot be controlled by Helen Ward Therapy but may create boundary considerations.

Professional social media accounts are used for information sharing, education and practice communication only and are not an extension of the therapeutic relationship.

8. Contact Outside Therapy

Therapy sessions are the primary space for therapeutic work.

Unexpected contact outside agreed therapeutic arrangements may create boundary complexities.

If a client and therapist encounter each other unexpectedly in public, the therapist will not normally initiate contact in order to protect client confidentiality. If the client chooses to acknowledge the therapist, the therapist will respond appropriately while maintaining confidentiality.

9. Self-Disclosure

Helen Ward Therapy recognises that limited therapist self-disclosure may sometimes support the therapeutic process.

Any self-disclosure will be considered carefully and only used where it is believed to benefit the client's therapeutic work.

The focus of therapy remains the client's experience rather than the therapist's personal life.

10. Gifts and Financial Boundaries

Helen Ward Therapy does not encourage the exchange of gifts between therapist and client.

Where a client offers a gift, consideration will be given to:

the meaning of the gift;
its value;
cultural considerations;
potential impact on the therapeutic relationship.

A gift may be declined where accepting it could affect professional boundaries or create discomfort or obligation.

Financial arrangements, including fees, payment methods and cancellations, are managed separately from the therapeutic relationship and are outlined within the Client Contract.

11. Physical Contact

Physical contact within therapy requires careful consideration.

Helen Ward Therapy recognises that touch can have different meanings depending on individual experiences, culture and personal boundaries.

Physical contact will not normally form part of therapy unless there is a clear therapeutic rationale and it is appropriate, agreed and professionally considered.

Any physical contact must prioritise client safety, comfort and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

12. Client Requests and Boundary Discussions

Clients are encouraged to discuss any questions, concerns or feelings relating to boundaries.

Exploring boundaries can form a valuable part of therapeutic work and may provide opportunities for understanding relational patterns, expectations and needs.

13. Ending Therapy

Ending therapy is an important part of the therapeutic process.

Helen Ward Therapy will aim to discuss endings collaboratively, allowing appropriate time for reflection, review and closure where possible.

The therapeutic relationship concludes when therapy ends, and ongoing contact outside the professional context is not expected.

14. Managing Boundary Concerns

Where boundary concerns arise, Helen Ward Therapy will:

reflect upon the situation professionally;
consider the impact on the client and therapeutic relationship;
seek clinical supervision where appropriate;
take proportionate action to maintain ethical practice.

Where necessary, boundaries may be clarified directly with the client in a respectful and transparent manner.

15. Responsibilities

Helen Ward Therapy is responsible for:

maintaining professional boundaries;
recognising boundary complexities;
seeking supervision where appropriate;
prioritising client wellbeing;
maintaining ethical and professional standards.

Clients are responsible for:

respecting agreed boundaries;
communicating concerns openly;
engaging with therapy within the agreed professional framework.

16. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where there are changes to legislation, professional guidance or practice procedures.