Reference no: EM132792286

Boundary crossing is defined as "departure from a commonly accepted practice that could potentially benefit a client." (Corey, 2016, p. 51) Counselors must follow a code of ethics, ensuring that boundaries being crossed are not harmful to the client. Each situation can be different and requires great responsibility from the counselor in making ethical decisions. "Boundary crossing, when executed with the clients' welfare in mind, is likely to enhance therapeutic alliance, the best predictor of therapeutic outcome." (Zur, 2004)

Boundary crossing can include going for a walk with a client or attending a cultural event that the client or their family may be hosting. "Therapists who work with different cultures inevitably join their Native American clients in some of their sacred rituals, their Latin clients in weddings, their Catholic clients in confirmations, or their Jewish clients for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. Refusing to do so in certain settings is likely to cause irreparable damage to the therapeutic alliance, nullify trust and render therapy ineffective." Respecting other cultural values is an important piece of the therapeutic process. (Zur, 2004)

How can boundary crossing be beneficial to the counseling relationship? What are some examples of positive boundary crossing?