How to Set Boundaries as a Private Practice Therapist

Why Boundaries Matter in Private Practice

Let’s be honest: most of us didn’t become therapists because we love paperwork, scheduling logistics, or having awkward conversations about late cancellation fees. We got into this field because we care about people. But here’s the catch: if you don’t set boundaries in your private practice, you’ll burn out faster than you can say, “I’ll just squeeze in one more client.”

Boundaries are not walls. They’re doors with locks—you decide when to open them, and you decide who gets the key. And in private practice, you need them more than ever because you’re both the therapist and the boss.

Common Boundary Struggles for Therapists

1. Scheduling Flexibility Gone Wild
   If your schedule looks like a game of Tetris that never ends, it’s a sign you need boundaries. Seeing clients at 9 PM because “that’s the only time they can do it” is a quick road to resentment.

2. Money Conversations
   Talking about rates, insurance, or late cancellation fees can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding them costs you both financially and emotionally.

3. Over-Availability
   Giving clients your cell phone number and saying “text me anytime” sounds compassionate—until you’re getting a crisis text while you’re at Target buying frozen pizza.

4. Work-Life Creep
   When your laptop follows you to bed or you’re answering emails during family dinner, that’s not dedication—it’s boundary erosion.

How to Actually Set Boundaries (Without Feeling Like a Jerk)

1. Define Your Non-Negotiables

Before you set boundaries with clients, you need to know what your deal-breakers are.

• What hours will you work (and stick to)?

• What’s your cancellation policy?

• How will clients contact you between sessions (if at all)?

Write these down. If it’s not written, it’s easy to wiggle out of it “just this once.” Spoiler: it’s never just once.

2. Put It in Writing

Your informed consent and practice policies should spell out your boundaries clearly. This not only helps clients know what to expect but also makes it easier to point back to when you need to enforce a policy.

Think of it like a prenup for therapy—better to have it in writing before emotions get involved.

3. Practice Saying It Out Loud

Boundary-setting is like building muscle. The first time you say, “I don’t offer sessions after 6 PM,” it might feel awkward. The tenth time? You’ll say it with the confidence of a barista calling out a misspelled name.

Pro tip: rehearse boundary statements out loud. Yes, you might feel silly, but it beats fumbling when a client asks for something you don’t offer.

4. Embrace Automation (Technology = Boundaries’ Best Friend)

Use your EHR or scheduling software to enforce your rules for you. Automatic appointment reminders, online scheduling, and payment systems save you from having to be the “bad guy.” Let the system send the cancellation fee invoice—you don’t need to chase it down personally.

5. Remember That Boundaries Are Clinical

Here’s the reframe: enforcing boundaries isn’t just about you. It’s modeling healthy relational dynamics for your clients. If you let them cancel last minute repeatedly or contact you 24/7, you’re reinforcing unhealthy patterns. Boundaries are therapy in action.

When You Struggle to Hold Boundaries

If you notice yourself bending your own rules, pause and ask:

• Am I doing this from compassion or from fear (of losing a client, of conflict, etc.)?

• What would I tell my own client in this situation?

And here’s the truth: you don’t have to figure this all out alone. Sometimes you need a colleague or consultant to help you navigate the messy parts of private practice.

Final Thoughts

Boundaries are what make private practice sustainable. They help you protect your time, your mental health, and ultimately your effectiveness as a therapist. You can be compassionate and have limits—they’re not opposites; they’re teammates.

If you’re a therapist struggling to set or maintain boundaries in your private practice, that’s exactly what I help with in consultation. Together, we’ll make sure your practice works for you—not the other way around.

✅ Ready to get support? Reach out for a private practice consultation today and let’s create boundaries that help your business thrive.

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