In this lesson we learned about Boundaries, both personal and professional.
I definitely think I need to develop clearer boundaries in certain aspects of my life, and gain the courage to speak out when lines have been crossed.
I have had a read of the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, and I have to say that it reassures me that it exists, and is so comprehensive.
In our roleplay session that was geared towards dealing with issues such as time-keeping and door-knobbing, I understood why it is important to definitively end a session on time, but felt uneasy asserting myself enough, I felt I had to keep apologising for not being able to have an extra ten minutes if the client was ten minutes late, even though it was not my fault he was late and the client would have known and understood these boundaries before we started the counselling process.
Also, I felt very easily pushed on my way out when I was trying to door-knob the counsellor in our roleplay, as she has had experience with delivering therapy before, and dealing with people who may not want to leave. She shook my hand goodbye and ushered me out – but was it her experience or my politeness?
On the other hand, I felt a bit wishy-washy and apologetic when I tried to halt some door-knobbing by my client in the roleplay, much like I do when a customer asks if we have a certain product, I go and have a look only to see we don’t have it, then return with the bad news – “sorry madam, we don’t have that one at the moment, really sorry about that” – I need to work on not being a bit more firm and not so apologetic.
