At Personal Risk: Boundary Violations in Professional-Client Relationships

by Marilyn R. Peterson

Book Overview

The first three chapters cover the social context of the relationship, the inherent power differential that delineates the relational boundaries, and professionals' difficulty with managing that power appropriately. Also discussed are the four characteristics of a boundary violation--a reversal of roles, a secret, a double bind, and an indulgence of professional privilege--and the damage to the client. Throughout the book, clients share their stories of violations--sometimes blatant, often subtle--in relationships. These vignettes, along with Peterson's engaging style, transform ethics from dry, abstract, and theoretical principles to vital struggles to understand and appropriately manage power with clients.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393701387
• ISBN13: 9780393701388
• Release Date: April 1992
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful Read for The Professional

Ms. Peterson's book is an excellent help for the professional in understanding boundary violations. Do not let the talk about the sacred charge of the professional turn you off; her perspective in writing about it is anthropological rather than religious. This book is really only for the professional, not for the client who has been violated. There are other, better books for that need.

A Must Read For Helpers...

Peterson's book is a treatise on the issue of boundaries and ethics in the helper/client relationship. She gives excellent examples of the ways clients have been hurt by professionals who don't have clear boundaries. The range of professions include medicine, education, law, religion, and counselling. I too found her discussion of boundary violations highly enlightening. She is extremely clear in describing what a boundary violation is, and how to deal with them when they occur. Clients who have been on the receiving end of boundary violations and abuses of professional power are likely to find her empathetic and insightful. The book is highly readable and thought provoking. I believe this book should be required reading for teachers, doctors, counsellors, lawyers, and others in the helping professions.

Excellent discussion of fiduciary relationships and abuses

Marilyn Peterson's book "At Personal Risk Boundary Violations in Professional-Client Relationships" offers a concise report on the professional-client relationship highlighting the "ethos of care" involved in the relationship professionals have with the clients they help.Ms. Peterson gives many examples of harm caused to clients when the boundary of this trust based relationship is breached. She has a particularly good discussion of the power differential involved in the professional-client relationship and how denial of the power and influence which reside with the professional can lead to boundary violations. She discusses four often hidden aspects involved in boundary violations: role reversals; secrets; double binds and indulgence of personal priviledge.Her discussion of the tensions that professionals must hold and work within show a keen understanding and insight into the responsibilities and risks of professional fiduciary work.She summarizes the psychological wounds to victims and offers suggestions for healing.Having read many books on the topic of professional boundaries and their abuses, I have found this book to be one of the best. Ms. Peterson writes in a clear, straight-forward manner and provides valuable discussion and thought provoking insight without psychobable jargon.