I chose the example of the social worker who had to navigate the isolation of COVID-19 while serving clients remotely because this is something I can personally relate to. During the pandemic, I met with my therapist virtually and over the phone, which had both benefits and pitfalls. Reamer discussed this situation, emphasizing the lack of protection and boundaries for both clients and social workers. Since both parties were often at home in shared spaces with family members, sessions were sometimes interrupted by intentional or unintentional intrusions. These disruptions could compromise privacy and, in some cases, increase emotional dependency due to blurred boundaries between therapy and family connections. A possible remedy would be to encourage both clients and social workers to conduct sessions in a private space, if possible, where doors can be locked or signs can be posted to prevent interruptions. Establishing boundaries with family members is essential for protecting the therapeutic process.
The boundary dynamic I would like to focus on is emotional and dependency needs. This is particularly relevant because, although social workers hold professional roles, we must also be mindful of our own emotional capacity to ensure it does not interfere with client care. This boundary issue can occur more often than we may realize. For example, if a social worker is having a difficult day and a client inquires about it, the social worker might inadvertently share a personal issue. If the matter involves a disagreement on social media, the client might even feel compelled to check the social worker’s profile and become emotionally invested in the situation, out of loyalty or respect.
The article Online Intimacy and Well-Being in the Digital Age highlights how online interactions can produce intimacy that fulfills emotional and dependency needs. I found it interesting that the authors emphasize how, in the digital age, these interactions can blur boundaries on online platforms through oversharing and by making private moments more public (Lomanowska & Guitton, 2016). Upholding a clear social media policy can help establish boundaries that might otherwise be crossed unintentionally or intentionally. In this profession, it is easy for both the client and the social worker to become emotionally invested in the process, so such policies serve to protect both parties.
To strengthen these protections, social workers may need to go further by making their personal social media pages private and restricted, or even by avoiding the use of full names on platforms to make themselves less searchable. Avoiding the use of personal phone numbers with clients is also important. If possible, social workers should request a work phone or create an alternate line, such as through WhatsApp, to separate professional from personal communication and to limit the risk of after-hours calls. While no policy is perfect and loopholes may arise, having clear guidelines allows social workers to build trusting relationships in safe and effective ways. Ultimately, this encourages client success while maintaining professional boundaries and healthy communication practices.
References
Reamer, F. G. (2023). Social work boundary issues in the digital age: Reflections of an ethics expert. Advances in Social Work, 23(1), 22–35. https://doi.org/10.18060/27164
Lomanowska, A. M., & Guitton, M. J. (2016). Online intimacy and well-being in the digital age. Internet Interventions, 4(2), 138–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2016.06.005
Hey Khouston! I really liked your post because I can relate to what you said about therapy during COVID. I also had sessions from home, and while it was convenient, it wasn’t always private. Sometimes family would walk in or make noise, which definitely made it harder to focus. I agree with you that finding a private space, even if it’s just closing a door or letting people in the house know you need quiet, can make a big difference.
I also thought your point about emotional and dependency needs was really good. It’s easy for boundaries to blur when personal life mixes with professional life, especially online. I’ve seen how social media can make things tricky, and I agree that having a clear policy and keeping personal accounts private is really important. Using a separate work phone or app also seems like a smart way to set limits so clients know when and how to reach you.
I think you explained it really well, boundaries aren’t just rules, they’re ways to keep the relationship safe and respectful. Your ideas show how social workers can protect themselves while still being there for clients.
Hi! I like your discussion of the pandemic experience. So many people probably had to adjust to being home and working during the time. I imagine separating personal and professional roles was challenging for many. I also appreciated your thoughts on emotional and dependency needs. Sometimes even small disclosures or social media interactions can complicate the relationship in ways we may not immediately notice; I think you explained that well.
Great post! I like how you included your own experience during the COVID-19 pandemic to Reamer’s discussion on boundary issues; you made a good point about how sharing home environments can blurry the line between professional and personal setting. I can definitely relate to that. Also, your connection to emotional and dependency needs is very important because social workers are people too, and even small disclosures can change the relationship and boundaries can be crossed. Also, I think your ideas of separating personal from business phone lines and making social media accounts more secured is really good.