Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries are vital for professionals and for those with whom they work--students, patients, congregants, clients. I used to think of boundaries as the tall stone walls of a fortress--keeping me safe within and others at a safe difference outside. Then I began to at least change the walls to be transparent (but strong!) glass, so that I could see and be seen. As my career progressed, I found the image of the lines on a highway to be the most helpful metaphor. Those lines are vital for safety when driving, helping keep me and all other drivers and passengers safe while operating potentially deadly machines.  It is a rich metaphor--different lines for different road contexts (white/yellow/dotted/solid), and different rules for different conditions (traffic/construction/rain/snow/fog).  This workshop will explore the why's of boundaries, ethical and values principles supporting your professional boundaries, and how to navigate particularly challenging situations.