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Old Jun 26, 2013, 10:51 AM
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Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: U.S.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GenCat View Post
I don't really know what a T can ask from a client or what a T's boundaries are so I am asking. I believe it is true that a T can not touch a client if stated by the client not too...is this true with any incident? If a client says no, then the T has to comply? What about Ts asking to see cuts or bruises from self-harm or abuse?
These seem to be questions about your boundaries, not your T's boundaries. You definitely have the right to uphold your boundaries. If you don't want to be touched by your T, show your T your cuts, or answer certain questions from your T, you don't have to. You just tell your T "no." That is maintaining your boundaries. If the T does not respect your boundaries, and tries to touch you or look at your cuts when you have said "no" that is a violation of your boundaries by your T.

I work at a hospital and ask patients all sorts of things as part of my job. If they say "no," that's fine. If they don't want to show me their cuts or talk about them, that's fine. We just move on. However, I may have to ask them the same question the following day, even though they have previously said they didn't want to answer this question. It is a requirement of my job. I rely on the patient to tell me "no" again, and sometimes they have changed their mind. The closest parallel I can think of with a T is asking about suicidality. Based on the client's state, they may feel they need to ask this each session, even when the client has indicated a reluctance to discuss.
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