Boundaries in Lesbian Therapy Relationships

Abstract

Lesbian therapists who are active participants in the lesbian community face unique challenges concerning the establishment of professional boundaries. Both the relatively small size of the community and the high incidence of informal contact between lesbian therapists and clients make boundary delineation difficult. This article describes strategies for managing self-disclosure, physical contact with clients, "special" treatment, and client gifts. It also discusses informal community contact with clients and relationships with former clients. The difficulty of maintaining personal privacy for the therapist is also addressed.