What should therapists avoid to maintain professional boundaries?

Engaging in dual relationships with clients is crucial to avoid as it can create conflicts of interest and compromise the therapist-client dynamic. Dual relationships occur when a therapist has more than one type of relationship with a client, such as being friends, relatives, or business associates outside the therapy context. This can blur the professional boundaries and lead to complications in the therapeutic relationship.

Maintaining clear professional boundaries is essential for building trust and ensuring that the therapeutic environment remains focused on the client's well-being. When therapists engage in dual relationships, it can lead to complications such as favoritism, bias, or a lack of objectivity, which ultimately can be detrimental to the client's progress and experience.

The other options, such as setting clear appointment schedules, regular follow-up communications, and offering personalized treatment plans, are practices that support a professional relationship without crossing boundaries. They contribute positively to client care, which reinforces professionalism rather than undermining it.