Managing Professional Boundaries Workshop

This programme is designed to provide an overview of boundaries and the many ways in which they can be encountered and managed. There is a strong emphasis on practical examples of boundary issues throughout the programme and there will be examples of best practice in relation to boundaries offered throughout the training. 

The programme is highly interactive with some group exercises and scenarios and is aimed at participants who wish to underpin and strengthen their existing knowledge around boundaries. There will be an element of self-care covered in the programme. Above all this workshop is a practical application of relevant theory and practice in relation to boundaries.

This workshop is open to individuals and can also be delivered as in-house training to groups of employees.

Psychological Society of Ireland members can receive learning credits from this training and this workshop is also accredited with the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) for 5 CPD points.

Programme Duration

One day.

Programme Aims

1. To build on and expand existing knowledge in the group in relation to Boundaries.
2. To enhance confidence in participants in relation to their understanding of boundaries and the way in which boundaries are respected and guarded.
3. To explore and understand why boundaries are important in work. This will include looking at scenarios which will include child protection, self‐harm, suicide ideation etc.
4. To be able to identify positive behaviour in relation to our personal boundaries.
5. To discuss examples and understand negative behaviour in relation to boundaries.
6. To know how to identify behaviours that suggest an individual's boundaries are becoming inappropriate.
7. To know how to raise concerns in a professional manner, and where to seek advice and information about boundary issues as they arise.
8. To allow space and time for participants to look at their own practice in relation to managing boundaries and discuss clients that they have had or are currently working with (suitably anonymous) in relation to managing boundaries.

Programme Content

Attendees will receive handouts and relevant literature to enable them to develop their understanding of boundaries appropriate to this level. Over the one day, students will have the opportunity to discuss and explore issues relating to boundaries and the ways in which they have encountered this as an issue in their work. There will be the opportunity over the training to allow participants to experience “real” situations and scenarios to transfer the theory of the course into practice.

The methodology used in this training will be a combination of the following:

1. Participative: The participants will be asked to contribute to the training both in the large group and also in smaller ones. There will be a number of exercises throughout the training that are designed for the group to be split up into smaller groups.
2. Experiential: The training will allow participants to contribute by using examples of anonymous clients that they have worked with or are currently working with in relation to managing boundaries.
3. Theory into practice: The training will allow some role‐plays that will encourage participants to put the theory of managing boundaries into practice.
4. Information giving: There will be handouts and information on relevant reading that will be distributed on the days training.
5. Worker led: The training will be flexible to the needs of the group.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this training programme is to enable participants to:

• Become aware of the importance of managing boundaries.
• Define what are good/bad boundaries.
• To highlight some of the areas where boundaries may become blurred and ways of proactively dealing with these.
• To identify where a person’s boundaries are not clear and appropriate responses to this.
• Define a “best practice” approach to managing boundaries.
• Understand the need to have an effective framework in relation to managing boundaries, i.e. confidentiality, duty of care, consent to share information, children etc.
• Manage professional boundaries, i.e. record keeping, ethical boundaries etc.
• Manage personal boundaries, i.e. self‐disclosure, use of supervision.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no specific entry requirements for this training programme.

Suitable for: Psychologists, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Nurse Practitioners, Youth Workers, Social Care Workers or any profession where managing boundaries are important.  

Connect with Your Trainer

The Learning Curve Institute will distribute a unique pre-course questionnaire to each participant in order to ensure the training meets the needs of everyone in the room and is tailored to the appropriate level while also covering specific situations or scenarios as highlighted by the group.

The Learning Curve Institute also offers a bespoke post course support system whereby students are provided with the contact details of the lecturer and are free to contact him/her with any questions they may have or that they would like the lecturer to help them with.

Programme Certification

Attendees will each receive a Certificate in "Managing Professional Boundaries" from The Learning Curve Institute

People like what we do

"I enjoyed the day.  Trainer was very informative, didn't feel the time going and content was educational and specific to my role". David Boyle, May 2019