Emotionally, yes, it's about the client's safety.

But in regards to boundaries? I'm sorry, but the therapist is more at risk than their clients are. The therapist knows how to respect boundaries and won't be invading their client's lives beyond the therapy sessions. The T's safety is of concern precisely because they are the one who is stable and solid.

The T sets boundaries, like anyone else.

Boundaries are simply going "this is what is ok with me for you to do/be involved with. this is what it is not ok for you to do/be involved with."

Boundaries are someone else's ways to SHOW someone how to be respectful to them - it isn't in lieu of respect. It's a clear way to help someone else who may struggle with it to see clearly what they need to do to be respectful.

If a T did not have clear boundaries set, then the client will cross them whenever they want. The T's safety is of concern then, because not everyone can handle things respectfully - and the T is working with those people to try to help them.

Boundaries can be fluid. What I may not be comfortable with my students doing, I might be totally fine with a friend. My boundaries may change with one person over time as I get to know them differently.

But the fact remains: they are my boundaries. If my boundaries are more strict than another persons, they still have to respect my boundaries. Their looser boundary does not negate my tighter one.

That would still be the case in a therapy setting. A T will, by default, have their own personal boundaries along with any ones put in place by their employer. Which is why some Ts will hug and others won't. That's their boundary, and it needs to be respect and upheld even if the client feels like it will slow down their own healing. The T should not have to give up their entire personhood to a client.

So I am cutting this short because I see it's rather long.