One of your clients, “Shelley” sends you at least four emails a day and will call your office up to six times a day. How will you address this issue with Shelley? What other boundary issues could

Example one

My first thought is that Shelley may have some underlying emotional and mental health issues going on. Her behavior seems to be a little irrational but, I would first question Shelley to see why she is behaving in this manner to be sure that there has not been any miscommunication on what my role is as her coach. I would explain what our working relationship is, what my role is a coach and what her role is a client. Boundary issues may be in question if she does not realize that we are not friends and that I am there to act only in a professional manner. I would inform her that it is inappropriate to continuously call and email. I would also make her aware that my time would not permit me to constantly entertain one client, as I have to attend to other clients as well. Gaining control of the situation early on is necessary to avoid more conflict down the road. If Shelly is having uncontrollable emotional issues I would recommend that she seeks further guidance from a psychotherapist or some type of mental health counseling (Duffell & Lawton-Smith, 2015).

References

Duffell, P., & Lawton-Smith, C. (2015). The challenges of working with emotion in coaching. The Coaching Psychologist, 11(1), 32-41. Retrieved from https://lc-grad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/externalLinks/externalLinks.html?operation=redirectToExternalLink&externalLink=https%3A%2F%2Flopes.idm.oclc.org%2Flogin%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2

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Example two

Some client exhibit this dependency for their healing. There are several ways to address this and the sooner the better:

1. In the consent form or working agreement a clear boundary setting is essential. Calls need to be made during working hours, and will be responded within 24 hr.

2. Emails will be responded within 24 hr. as well.

3. It needs to be made clear that emergency emotional support in a continuous basisis needs to be referred to a counselor/therapist.

4. A clear distinction between the work of a coach and that of a therapist needs to be established.

5. You are available but only in working hours, and when not with other clients.

It will be the biggest mistake to respond to every phone call or email. From my own experience clients like Shelley that seek to be rescued will be very dependent and hopefully her own empowerment in her healing and growth will be addressed early. In addition, if those calls and email do not get responded immediately (within 24 hr.) then they realize you are not that kind of "rescuer", but a professional and it usually subsides. If it does not subside, then Shelley has some more severe issues that need to be addressed first before getting coaching from you. The coaching needs to be paused or seized completely.