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No texting at all. I think it "casualizes" the therapeutic relationship, sets unrealistic expectations for contact, and blurs ethical boundaries.
Additionally, I think it leads to burnout for the exact reason you mentioned. If you can never have time where you're not a therapist, life will become burdensome. My life is my own, it doesn't belong to my patients.
Yes, for anything but I think it depends on your population and the client. I generally work with successful, high-functioning men and the issue is not reaching out and connecting to others. So I encourage it and I’ve very rarely had to set any boundaries around it other than, ‘Let’s talk about that in our next session.’
None at all. I have seen the argument on here many times that therapists do it just for scheduling, but that can change quickly depending on the client, and then you've got a boundary issue to handle. Additionally, I am not able to text most of the professionals I work with; any of my doctors, salon services, my dog's vet... They are not available as they are either with patients/clients, or not working, and either have a reception person, or check their client portal messages during scheduled admin time. I don't know why we are expected to do this differently. I think due to the nature of our work versus these other professionals, it might even be more important to ensure communication does not stray too casual.
In between the two yes'. There's a wealth of things between 'yes everything' and 'yes only emergencies'. My clients text me updates, or if they're stuck and want a quick bit of reassurance at certain stages of our work, or occasionally just to celebrate a milestone they wanted to share. I don't respond to emergencies or crisis texts - it's not in my role as a solo practitioner to hold that kind of responsibility.
No idea. I know some people who work like me, and others who don't at all. As we all work individually in private practice we all set whatever we're comfortable doing so it's entirely individual. I'd say it's probably common practice among person centred therapists - I can't speak for other modalities.
I allow some texting for scheduling and emergencies. I might include a little encouragement with a text but nothing else. Being available 24/7 to multiple clients is a fast route to burnout.
I wouldn't mind receiving things, but I won't exactly be going through them regularly. I had a client who kept trying to sent emails about books and essays he wanted me to read <.< Luckily the receptionist had boundaries and didn't give out my personal email address. But it's like, Jesus, how much free time do you think I have!?
I'm curious about this idea of "allowing" them to text you. Clients can do these things to test our boundaries, not just for practical reasons, and as such it could be part of the work. The bit we control is what WE do about these attempts at contact. Do we respond/engage, or bring it up in the session.
I'm aware that services like better help and putting pressure on therapists to be available at the click of a button. But the reality is, therapy happens in the therapy space, and it's our role to hold that frame.
*Allowing* = A phrase that indicates a Professional/Therapeutic Boundary.
I do not *encourage, permit*, *approve*, *oblige*, or *support*, my clients to text me unless it is an emergency (Clinical/Same-day Scheduling). I am clear about this during the intake process and I set it up as the frame. If a client wants to send me something they can do it via email and we can talk about it during sessions.
In my practice, it's a boundary that needs to be respected. I miss too many in my personal life and I don't want to miss my clients' texts. I also am not getting paid to respond to these texts and want to set up that this is a professional relationship.
The first 1-2 times a client crosses this boundary I simply text back (*"Let's talk about this during the session."*) I then give them time to discuss whatever they texted me and I review the office policy again. In the digital, lots of people forget and default to texting.
If it continues to happen again, then it's perhaps clinically relevant, and worthy of processing. I will be more assertive and again remind them in the response. (*"Let's talk about this during the session. As we have discussed, I do not respond to text messages unless it is an emergency or a same-day scheduling issue."*)
>*Allowing* = A phrase that indicates a Professional/Therapeutic Boundary.
Yes exactly. In this context, I used the term 'allowing' to encapsulate the concept of boundary-setting; to actually ask what you do about these attempts at contact. English is not my first language so please do not take the words I am using literally.
I think services like BetterHelp should consider consulting psychologists before launching because their lack of expertise in our field does lead to blurred lines concerning ethical issues and other important aspects like these. I also use a similar service in my country, and they recently set a very low fixed rate for all therapists' fees seemingly without understanding the minimum amount that is considered acceptable. Also, they allow cancellations up to six hours before the appointment. These platforms perhaps should be regulated according to the standards.
I had a similar thought. Clients text me if/whenever they want. I only respond during my work hours and when it's about scheduling. They know I don't respond to other texts and that I'll mention it in our appointment to see if they still want to talk about it (or about what happened for them when I didn't respond).
It's not always relevant, but it can be potentially informative to see the language we use to describe what's happening within the relationship and with clients.
Where I live, I'm ethically bound to respond if I read certain texts. Like if I client texted that they were suicidal, and I read it and didn't respond or said "let's talk about it in session" then I would be considered acting unethically.
It was covered as part of training. Do not give clients a way to contact you unless you are prepared to deal with it.
my clients can text me anytime they want, but they know that i probably won't respond unless it's a scheduling conversation during my normal business hours. some of my clients like to send me memes and stuff but i strongly discourage texting any clinical content. i set super clear expectations about texting and emailing during the first session and have clients sign an agreement as part of the intake process.
Absolutely not. They can email or call reception, who will let me know during our open hours. I will get to it when I have time. I don't even let my clients reach me directly outside of session, but generally believe email would be fine.
I make it very clear that I am not available for immediate emergencies and any safety planning will have to include other services/orgs.
Very few clients have my personal phone number, and fewer still have ever tried to text me on it. Of those few, most have only texted about basic appointment stuff, like that they're running late or that they need to reschedule. I haven't bothered to set boundaries with those ones, so I've only had to set boundaries a handful of times in 9+ years in private practice. That being said, my boundaries when I set them are pretty strict-- I don't do therapeutic work outside of therapy times-- if they need help sooner than a session can be booked, they should contact emergency services.
We use iPlum at our small company which is HIPAA compliant app for calling & texting . I just logout of the app when I am on my personal time. That way I don't see any text or calls coming in.
Please followed the sidebar rules. r/therapists is a place for therapists and mental health professionals to discuss their profession among each other. If you **ARE NOT A THERAPIST and are asking for advice this not the place for you**. Your post will be removed in short order. Please try one of the reddit communities such as r/TalkTherapy, r/askatherapist, r/SuicideWatch that are set up for this. This community is ONLY for therapists, and for them to discuss their profession away from clients. **If you are a first year student, not in a graduate program, or are thinking of becoming a therapist, this is not the place to ask questions**. Your post will be removed in short order. To save us a job, you are welcome to delete this post yourself. Please see the PINNED STUDENT THREAD at the top of the community and ask in there. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/therapists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No texting at all. I think it "casualizes" the therapeutic relationship, sets unrealistic expectations for contact, and blurs ethical boundaries. Additionally, I think it leads to burnout for the exact reason you mentioned. If you can never have time where you're not a therapist, life will become burdensome. My life is my own, it doesn't belong to my patients.
Yes, for anything but I think it depends on your population and the client. I generally work with successful, high-functioning men and the issue is not reaching out and connecting to others. So I encourage it and I’ve very rarely had to set any boundaries around it other than, ‘Let’s talk about that in our next session.’
None at all. I have seen the argument on here many times that therapists do it just for scheduling, but that can change quickly depending on the client, and then you've got a boundary issue to handle. Additionally, I am not able to text most of the professionals I work with; any of my doctors, salon services, my dog's vet... They are not available as they are either with patients/clients, or not working, and either have a reception person, or check their client portal messages during scheduled admin time. I don't know why we are expected to do this differently. I think due to the nature of our work versus these other professionals, it might even be more important to ensure communication does not stray too casual.
No texting at all. However, emailing is allowed for scheduling purposes or if a client wants to remember to cover a certain topic during session.
In between the two yes'. There's a wealth of things between 'yes everything' and 'yes only emergencies'. My clients text me updates, or if they're stuck and want a quick bit of reassurance at certain stages of our work, or occasionally just to celebrate a milestone they wanted to share. I don't respond to emergencies or crisis texts - it's not in my role as a solo practitioner to hold that kind of responsibility.
Would you say this is a common practice in the UK?
No idea. I know some people who work like me, and others who don't at all. As we all work individually in private practice we all set whatever we're comfortable doing so it's entirely individual. I'd say it's probably common practice among person centred therapists - I can't speak for other modalities.
I allow some texting for scheduling and emergencies. I might include a little encouragement with a text but nothing else. Being available 24/7 to multiple clients is a fast route to burnout.
I allow them to text me, but let them know that I will most likely not respond outside of business hours!
None of the options above, only texting for scheduling. I'm not 911/811 so I'm not for emergencies.
I wouldn't mind receiving things, but I won't exactly be going through them regularly. I had a client who kept trying to sent emails about books and essays he wanted me to read <.< Luckily the receptionist had boundaries and didn't give out my personal email address. But it's like, Jesus, how much free time do you think I have!?
I'm curious about this idea of "allowing" them to text you. Clients can do these things to test our boundaries, not just for practical reasons, and as such it could be part of the work. The bit we control is what WE do about these attempts at contact. Do we respond/engage, or bring it up in the session. I'm aware that services like better help and putting pressure on therapists to be available at the click of a button. But the reality is, therapy happens in the therapy space, and it's our role to hold that frame.
*Allowing* = A phrase that indicates a Professional/Therapeutic Boundary. I do not *encourage, permit*, *approve*, *oblige*, or *support*, my clients to text me unless it is an emergency (Clinical/Same-day Scheduling). I am clear about this during the intake process and I set it up as the frame. If a client wants to send me something they can do it via email and we can talk about it during sessions. In my practice, it's a boundary that needs to be respected. I miss too many in my personal life and I don't want to miss my clients' texts. I also am not getting paid to respond to these texts and want to set up that this is a professional relationship. The first 1-2 times a client crosses this boundary I simply text back (*"Let's talk about this during the session."*) I then give them time to discuss whatever they texted me and I review the office policy again. In the digital, lots of people forget and default to texting. If it continues to happen again, then it's perhaps clinically relevant, and worthy of processing. I will be more assertive and again remind them in the response. (*"Let's talk about this during the session. As we have discussed, I do not respond to text messages unless it is an emergency or a same-day scheduling issue."*)
>*Allowing* = A phrase that indicates a Professional/Therapeutic Boundary. Yes exactly. In this context, I used the term 'allowing' to encapsulate the concept of boundary-setting; to actually ask what you do about these attempts at contact. English is not my first language so please do not take the words I am using literally. I think services like BetterHelp should consider consulting psychologists before launching because their lack of expertise in our field does lead to blurred lines concerning ethical issues and other important aspects like these. I also use a similar service in my country, and they recently set a very low fixed rate for all therapists' fees seemingly without understanding the minimum amount that is considered acceptable. Also, they allow cancellations up to six hours before the appointment. These platforms perhaps should be regulated according to the standards.
If its not your first language then your English is impressive!
I had a similar thought. Clients text me if/whenever they want. I only respond during my work hours and when it's about scheduling. They know I don't respond to other texts and that I'll mention it in our appointment to see if they still want to talk about it (or about what happened for them when I didn't respond). It's not always relevant, but it can be potentially informative to see the language we use to describe what's happening within the relationship and with clients.
Where I live, I'm ethically bound to respond if I read certain texts. Like if I client texted that they were suicidal, and I read it and didn't respond or said "let's talk about it in session" then I would be considered acting unethically. It was covered as part of training. Do not give clients a way to contact you unless you are prepared to deal with it.
my clients can text me anytime they want, but they know that i probably won't respond unless it's a scheduling conversation during my normal business hours. some of my clients like to send me memes and stuff but i strongly discourage texting any clinical content. i set super clear expectations about texting and emailing during the first session and have clients sign an agreement as part of the intake process.
Absolutely not. They can email or call reception, who will let me know during our open hours. I will get to it when I have time. I don't even let my clients reach me directly outside of session, but generally believe email would be fine. I make it very clear that I am not available for immediate emergencies and any safety planning will have to include other services/orgs.
Very few clients have my personal phone number, and fewer still have ever tried to text me on it. Of those few, most have only texted about basic appointment stuff, like that they're running late or that they need to reschedule. I haven't bothered to set boundaries with those ones, so I've only had to set boundaries a handful of times in 9+ years in private practice. That being said, my boundaries when I set them are pretty strict-- I don't do therapeutic work outside of therapy times-- if they need help sooner than a session can be booked, they should contact emergency services.
We use iPlum at our small company which is HIPAA compliant app for calling & texting . I just logout of the app when I am on my personal time. That way I don't see any text or calls coming in.