In Reamer’s article “Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age: Reflections of an Ethics Expert” (2023), the example that stood out to me was about the social worker in recovery who shared their personal experiences in an online support group. One of her clients, who was also in recovery, accessed the group and read her posts. I chose this example because I don’t think about how accessible people are on the internet. As hard as people try to stay “hidden” on the internet, if someone wants to find you, they will. It is also common these days for people to turn to online groups for support and connection. As a professional, it is so important to watch how your personal life can overlap with your professional life. In this situation, the social worker probably didn’t realize she was crossing any boundaries, but her client now knows personal things about her. This situation could potentially shift the dynamic in their professional relationship. It blurs the line between social worker and client. I think the best response would be for the social worker to be more careful about where she shares personal information, especially online. The social worker may also want to have a conversation with the client if boundaries ever feel unclear/blurred.
One of the boundary dynamics Reamer discusses is altruism. Altruism can be defined as doing something for a client out of a yearning to help, even if it pushes or crosses professional limits. I chose this dynamic because if a social worker is not careful, it can be very easy to cross boundaries. While it is important as social workers to support our clients, that means answering phone calls/texts late at night or offering more time than we should. It doesn’t come from ill intentions, but it can lead to blurred boundaries. It is important to set clear boundaries with clients. Reamer explains that “even well-meaning actions can cause confusion or dependency if not handled carefully” (Reamer, 2023). I can use myself as an example. When I first started as a social worker, I would overextend my time to clients, and they became entitled to my time. Now I have clear boundaries. I realize a lot of things can wait until tomorrow. The article by Beth Seelig Altruism and Boundary Violation. explains that “the desire to help others is a common motivation for becoming a therapist, and boundary crossings are an expectable part of psychotherapeutic work. However, progression to boundary violation is rare. The concept of an altruistic boundary violation is presented … whose violation of the therapist/patient boundary … began as an altruistically motivated enactment and boundary crossing.” (p. 474) This ties into Reamer’s article, because it shows that by using altruism, there are bound to be lines crossed and ethical mistakes made if there is no structure or boundaries in place.
Reamer also recommends that social workers create and share social media and AI policies with the clients/communities they serve. I think this is something that must be standard because of how advanced technology is. If a policy is in place, it sets clear expectations upfront and helps avoid uncomfortable or risky situations later. A suitable policy could include the social worker’s boundaries and how digital communication will be used. While it will not stop all boundary issues that may arise, it gives both the social worker and the client something to refer back to and at least start the dialogue about boundaries. It also shows the client that the social worker takes professionalism and ethics seriously, even in the digital world.
In today’s tech-driven society, the lines between personal and professional can get blurry fast. Reamer’s article is an excellent reminder that clear boundaries and thoughtful communication are essential to ethical social work practice.
Reference
Reamer, F. G. (2023). Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age: Reflections of an Ethics Expert. Advances in Social Work.
Seelig, Beth J. (2017). Altruism and Boundary Violation. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 37(7), 474‑486.
It was great that you referenced your own difficulties with boundaries when you first became a social worker. I think altruism is probably something a lot of people who become social workers may struggle with at first. That’s why having clear boundaries in place is such an important aspect of our work. With modern technology we can be more available than ever before. I thought it made sense that the Seelig article said that progression to boundary violation is rare. If intentions are good than it’s just a matter of keeping a set in place structure. I think you are right and the introduction of technology just means more conversations have to be had in order to keep up with clear boundaries.