This discussion dives into therapist enmeshment, exploring how blurred boundaries can affect client relationships. The hosts examine the challenges of over-identification and emotional sharing between therapists and clients. They highlight the importance of maintaining professionalism while still being empathetic, especially during shared life experiences. Concerns about clients feeling indebted to their therapists also come into play. Overall, a thought-provoking conversation on the delicate balance needed in the therapeutic space.
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insights INSIGHT
Pendulum From Blank Slate To Oversharing
The pendulum swung from blank-slate therapists toward radical authenticity, which can overshoot into enmeshment.
Well-intentioned openness can still create problematic dynamics if it blurs professional boundaries.
insights INSIGHT
Shared Identity Can Undermine Containment
Shared identities or world events (e.g., pandemic) encourage mutual disclosure and closeness.
That sharedness can be healing but may undermine the therapist's containing, regulated role.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Always Check How Disclosure Lands
After any self-disclosure, check in with the client: ask how it landed in their body and experience.
Use the client's facial cues and follow-up questions to assess whether the disclosure helped or harmed.
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This week, we talk about therapist enmeshment - what it is, how it happens, and what therapists can do to ensure they have appropriate boundaries with clients. For this conversation, we’re placing the context at the feet of the therapists and exploring how some therapy practices and some therapists encourage emotional enmeshment with clients.
We talk about how over-identification with a client (we’ve experienced the same things so we must feel the same way), lack of energetic and relational boundaries, and making clients feel that we are dependent on them getting well all muddy the waters of therapy. We also talk about what happens when clients feel that they owe their therapists something (I have to seem okay or my therapist will feel bad about themselves) or when they feel that have to edit the content of their sessions out of worry of burdening the client.
Even when we share identities with a client, they have had their own experience or life that is fully separate from us and it’s vital that we have a clear sense of where we end and clients begin. We have to be able to be present with clients without inserting ourselves energetically in their personal psychic space.
This is a doozy of a topic but super energizing to discuss. What are your thoughts about therapist enmeshment? Be sure to check out this season 7 opener and let us know what you think!
Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch or share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod, email at connect@edgeofthecouch.com, or voice note at speakpipe.com/edgeofthecouch.
We have partnered with Janeapp, an all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign up.
Alison McCleary www.alpenglowcounselling.com @alpenglow_counselling on Instagram
Jordan Pickell www.jordanpickellcounselling.ca @jordanpickellcounselling on Instagram
Edge of the Couch www.edgeofthecouch.com @edgeofthecouchpod on Instagram
We're taking the couch on the road! Join us between May 9th and May 24th, we'll be heading to 8 Canadian cities for a LIVE episode recording and a chance to connect with other therapists in your area. Space is limited, so snag your ticket before it's too late! For more information, visit us on Instagram @edgeofthecouchpod. We hope to see you there!
Join us on Patreon for bonus content at www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch, share your thoughts and questions via DM on Instagram, or email us at connect@edgeofthecouch.com.
We have partnered with Janeapp, our favourite all-in-one practice management software. You can learn more at Jane.app/mentalhealth. Or, if you are ready to get started, mention Edge of the Couch in the note during sign-up for a free one-month grace period on your new account.
Edge of the Couch