Recognizing and Managing Boundary Issues in Case Management

Walsh, Joseph PhD, LCSW

Offprints. Requests for offprints should be directed to: Joseph Walsh, PhD, LCSW, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth, University, 1001 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2027

Care Management Journals 2(2):p 79-85, Summer 2000.

Much of the literature on worker-client boundaries in clinical practice is based on assumptions that the relationship between the two parties is structured and formal. These assumptions do not always apply in community-based case management practice, where the worker and client interact in a wide variety of settings and circumstances. The relative informality of case management makes the establishment of appropriate worker-client boundaries both critical and difficult. In this article key principles for recognizing and managing boundary issues are presented and discussed.