Ethical Boundaries: Ethics and Boundaries are Different

Ethics are generally written rules that guide and protect individuals from unacceptable behaviors.

Boundaries are generally not written down, and they may not be the same for everyone. They also may change over time. Boundaries can be physical, psychological, emotional and/or social.

BUT boundaries are personal and serve a unique function.

Boundaries provide a therapeutic framework that defines a set of roles.

Boundaries foster a sense of safety and the belief that the professional–the recovery supporter–will always act in the resident’s best interest.

Boundaries draw a line between the interactions that are appropriate and those that are inappropriate.

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Reference: Smith, D., & Fitzpatrick, M. (1995). Patient-therapist boundary issues: An integrative review of theory and research. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26 (5), 499-506.