Encounters with Boundary Challenges: A Preliminary Model of Experienced Psychotherapists’ Working Strategies

Five experienced clinical psychologists were interviewed about their strategies for maintaining boundaries in psychotherapy.
The interviews were subjected to qualitative analysis using grounded theory techniques to develop a preliminary model of boundary
maintenance. The central principle exhibited by the interviewees was maintaining a therapeutic relationship to facilitate
client self care. Overall, the central principle was comprised of three main working strategies: (1) maintaining client boundaries
to ensure a clear focus on client needs; (2) maintaining psychotherapist boundaries to protect effective practice; and (3)
maintaining psychotherapy boundaries to facilitate client reflection, awareness, and assumption of responsibility. Each strategy
included two or three distinct meaning categories, explicated in the paper. Implications for clinical work and future research
are discussed.