Boundaries In Social Work

The Importance of Boundaries Professional boundaries in social work and other helping professions provide limits in therapeutic relationships, but boundaries are also important in other kinds of relationships. Depending on one’s upbringing and experience, setting boundaries in relationships may be easier for some people to set than others. All healthy relationships have boundaries. This is the line where one person ends and someone else begins. Boundaries in relationships can be likened to boundaries around states. One feature of a healthy sense of self or identity is the way people understand and work with boundaries. Personal boundaries are the limits set in relationships that allow people to protect themselves.
People need to know what they like and dislike, what they are comfortable with versus what scares them, and how they want to be treated in any given situation to set boundaries. This is the case of a couple, Steve and Ann, who have been married for 45 years. They talk openly and honestly about what they need from each other. Ann says that Steve plans to paint their dining room and she adds,”I guess that he’ll get around to it when he has a chance.” She does not have to repeatedly remind him of what she wants because she knows that he will get to the task in a reasonable time. Ann is clear about her needs and tells him so. Many boundary violations stem from misunderstandings when one partner has a problem with certain behaviors, but they never let their partner know. Often this is because they worry it will trigger an argument. On the other hand, there are others who address an issue, but their partner gives them little regard. In another illustration, Carol and Brian, an unmarried couple, have been living together for about a year. She has repeatedly asked him to cut the grass and help with other things around the house. He responded, “This is not my house,” so he does what he wants to do, which is not very much. She complains about him not “helping” her until she finally gets tired of him. Eventually, Carol asks Brian to move out. Therefore, when couples are clear about their boundaries in
So she is trying to get her life back on track in her own way. Still, Sally mentions some names and phone numbers of community resources to assist her because she thinks that Brandy is in denial about the serious nature of her illness. She knows that it would not be a good idea to allow Brandy to live with her, considering Brandy's present circumstances and her history of problematic behavior. Also, she knows that some of the other symptoms of Brandy’s illness can include depression, irrationality, impulsivity, anger, and violence. In addition, Sally wonders why Brandy’s nine brothers and sisters are not allowing her to stay with any of them. She suspects that Brandy has broken some bridges with them insofar that her siblings have distanced themselves from her. Sally knows that it is best to set some boundaries with Brandy rather than allowing her situation to burden her life to the point that their relationship may have to end. Sally tells Brandy that she cannot allow her to stay with her because she feels that Brandy needs treatment. In response, Brandy says, “ I don’t want you to feel bad about not letting me stay with you.” Sally thinks for a moment and responds by saying, “I don’t feel bad about telling you no because I think you need professional help, which I can’t provide in my home. I would feel bad, if I let you stay with me and then I had to ask