Blog Post: Boundary Issues
Case Example
In Reamer’s (2023) article Social Work Boundary Issues in the Digital Age: Reflections of an Ethics Expert, the case that stood out to me involved blurred boundaries between a client and social worker through text messaging. The case explained that the client began sending personal text messages to their social worker outside of session hours, asking for advice about relationships and family matters. I selected this example because it demonstrates how digital communication can blur the boundaries between professional and personal support. My assessment of this situation is that the social worker allowed the communication to continue without setting limits, which risked creating dependency and shifting the nature of the professional relationship. According to Reamer (2018), the convenience of digital tools can invite inappropriate levels of accessibility, which may compromise professional roles. The most appropriate resolution would be for the social worker to clarify boundaries by establishing limits on text communication, redirecting personal concerns to scheduled sessions, and providing resources for crisis situations.
Boundary Dynamic
I chose the boundary dynamic of boundary crossing versus boundary violations because it represents one of the most common challenges social workers face in the digital age. A boundary crossing may occur when a special worker uses text messaging to confirm appointments, while a boundary violation would be using text messaging for personal or overly informal exchanges with clients. Reamer (2023b) emphasizes that not all crossings are harmful, but without clear policies, they can slide into violations that compromise professional judgment and client trust. My cousin has experienced this dynamic with her past therapist which made her think her therapist has become her close friend. This dynamic often emerges in professional settings when practitioners feel pressured to be accessible to clients digitally, making it difficult to maintain an appropriate level of formality. In addition to Reamer, Newman and Mishna (2015) highlighted that technology makes it harder for professionals to recognize where boundaries lie, since social media and digital platforms blur the personal and professional spheres. The NASW code of ethics (2021) reinforces the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest that could impair judgement.
Social Media Policy
I believe Reamer’s suggestion to develop and share a social worker policy with client is a highly effective strategy. It provides transparency and establishes clear expectations before issues arise. A strong social media policy should include guidance such as not accepting friend or follow request from clients, limiting digital communication to professional; channels, clarifying that social media cannot be used for emergencies, outlining how confidentiality will be safeguarded. Reamer (2023a) stresses that proactive measures, like written policies, can prevent ethical dilemmas before they escalate. This strategy would be effective because it helps protect both clients and practitioners while promoting informed consent. According to the NASW code of ethics (2021), social workers are obligated to clearly explain the risks and limitations of digital technology. By formalizing expectations in a policy, social workers create structure and reduce ambiguity, which ultimately strengthens professional boundaries in the digital age.
References
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. NASW Press.
Newman, D., & Mishna, F. (2015). Virtual Boundaries: Ethical Considerations for Use of Social Media in Social Work. Social Work, 60(1), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swu045
Reamer, F. G. (2018). Evolving Ethical Standards in the Digital Age. Social Work, 63(3), 191- 200. https://doi.org/10.11093/sw/swy006
Reamer, F. G. (2023a). Artificial Intelligence in Social Work: Emerging Ethical Issues. International Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics. https://jswve.org/volume-20/issue-2/item-05/
Reamer, F. G. (2023b). Social Work Boundary Issues in the digital age: Reflections of an Ethics Expert.
Hi, I also chose the social media policy. I agree and like how you elaborated on preventing future issues from arising.