ABSTRACT
From a professional perspective boundaries are about the practitioner being clear with themselves and their clients about what might be expected from each other and therefore communicating that they are reliable and trustworthy, which helps to establish rapport. Boundaries create a framework within which the relationship can develop and thrive and which the client and practitioner can both refer back to. They allow clients to know (rather than guess, surmise or have anxieties about) what is expected of them and what they can reasonably expect of the practitioner. Relevant boundaries include time, frequency of sessions, location, confidentiality agreements and contracting. They help to create stability and safety for the client by communicating the notion that all relationships have limits including a coaching, counselling or coach–therapy relationship. They protect the client and practitioner from exploitation and from potentially ‘messy’ situations that could have a negative impact on the interaction and outcomes. Frequently clients are very unclear about what to expect from therapy or coaching so it might be reasonable to assume that offering an integration of the two potentially increases the possibility of confusion. If this is not managed well at the outset (and throughout the relationship) then the quality of the work and the potential for a positive outcome could be compromised.
