Nonsexual Touch, Self-Disclosure, and Friendship in the Therapeutic Setting : A Discussion of Boundary Issues / Janet L. Boller and Sandra S. Lee.

Conflict over appropriate treatment boundaries has been an issue since the time of Freud. To better understand these boundaries, some traditional, humanistic and feminist models which range from conservative, strict boundaries to more liberal or relaxed boundaries are considered here. The ethical considerations and implications of nonsexual touch, post-treatment friendship, and therapist self-disclosure are addressed under the common theme of boundary construction. The goal of this work is to provide a framework for designing and understanding boundary violations. Current literature is reviewed briefly to highlight opposing views as well as to facilitate a working knowledge of the nature of the ethical dilemmas raised in boundary construction. Finally, an alternative theoretical approach for decision-making is proposed. (Contains 24 references.) (EMK)

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