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There is more to post-termination boundary violations than sex

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Larkin J. Feeney*
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Type
Correspondence
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2009 

I enjoyed Reference SarkarSarkar's (2009) article and the accompanying commentary by Reference SheatherSheather (2009). I would simply like to add that there are situations other than sexual ones in which such boundary violations can occur. Some of these can be relatively innocent, such as a former patient doing a few odd jobs around the house. Others can be more sinister, such as the recruitment of former patients into religious groups. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid having an ongoing relationship with a former patient. Nonetheless, in all such situations it is incumbent on the doctor in question to make certain that there is nothing exploitative in that relationship.

References

Sarkar, S (2009) Life after therapy: post-termination boundary violations in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment; 15: 82–7.Google Scholar
Sheather, J (2009) Trust and the therapeutic bond: the special case of psychiatry. Invited commentary on … Post-termination boundary violations. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment; 15: 88–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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