5 Boundaries Every Therapist Needs in Private Practice (Without Losing Clients)

Introduction to Private Practice Boundaries

The first time a client called me at 10 p.m., I was curled up on the couch watching The West Wing. And for a second, I almost answered. Because, as a new therapist in private practice, I thought being “always available” was what made me a good therapist. What I didn’t realize yet was that answering that phone would set a precedent I couldn’t undo.

Boundaries are not just a clinical tool. They’re what keep you sane, keep your practice sustainable, and keep therapy safe for your clients. But here’s the tricky part — setting boundaries in private practice can feel terrifying when you’re worried about losing clients. If you are interested in learning more about client rention you can read an article I wrote about the topic here.

In this blog, I’m sharing the five boundaries every therapist needs to establish: around phone availability, scope of practice, payments, social media, and holidays. I’ll walk you through how I’ve navigated each one in my own practice, and how you can set these limits with confidence and compassion.

Why Boundaries in Private Practice Matter

When you work in an agency, most of the guardrails are already in place. Once you’re on your own, suddenly you’re the one deciding: Should clients text me? What if someone can’t pay? Do I need to work through the holidays?

Without clear limits, you risk:

• Feeling tied to your phone 24/7

• Taking on clients outside your expertise

• Carrying unpaid balances for months

• Navigating awkward social media interactions

• Burning out during the holidays

Every therapist I’ve coached has bumped into at least one of these pain points. And I’ve been there, too. Boundaries are the thing that makes private practice not just possible, but sustainable.

In fact, recent research supports this. The article “The benefits of better boundaries in clinical practice” by Heather Stringer (2025) emphasizes that boundary-setting is a vital form of self-care. According to the APA’s 2024 Practitioner Pulse Survey, more than 50% of early-career psychologists reported feeling burned out, compared with just 18% of advanced-career psychologists. Clear boundaries around session times, after-hours contact, payments, and scope of practice not only protect therapists’ well-being but also model healthy relationships for clients.

How I Learned to Set Therapist Boundaries With Clients

I’ll never forget my early years in practice when I told myself, “It’s fine if clients text me anytime.” It wasn’t fine. Within weeks, I was fielding messages late at night and realizing I’d set myself up for exhaustion.

Here’s what I do differently now:

• Phone availability: I inform clients upfront that I’m not available outside of scheduled sessions. If something comes up, we can always book another appointment.

• Scope of practice: When I realize a client’s needs exceed my expertise, I refer them out. Sometimes I charge for that first session, sometimes I don’t. But every time, I’ve gained more trust and referrals because I honored my limits.

• Payments: I bill at the end of each session. If a card is declined, I send a quick, non-shaming reminder with a link to update their information. No balances pile up.

Being clear doesn’t push clients away — it builds trust.

Therapist Boundary Strategies That Actually Work

So, how do you actually put this into practice?

1. Please put it in your paperwork. Boundaries aren’t optional policies — they’re part of your professional foundation. Please put them in writing.

2. Talk about it early. First session, always. It prevents surprises down the line.

3. Offer other supports. If clients want more access, help them build support outside of therapy, such as through journaling, peer support, or additional sessions.

4. Be clear on social media. I tell clients directly: I don’t accept friend requests, and my social content is never meant as a substitute for therapy.

5. Plan for holidays. I take two weeks off every December. Clients know from the start. I also open the first Monday of each holiday week for anyone who needs extra support.

When you frame boundaries as part of excellent care, clients respect them.

Building a Sustainable Private Practice With Clear Boundaries

Boundaries aren’t about saying no. They’re about making sure your practice can thrive for the long run and that your clients feel safe within the structure you’ve built.

So here’s my challenge: pick one area — phone, payments, scope, social media, or holidays — and rewrite your boundary this week. Add it to your intake paperwork, bring it up with clients, and see how much lighter you feel.

Want some help? I’ve created scripts and paperwork templates that walk you through exactly what to say. You can check them out here.

Because you deserve to run a sustainable private practice, and your clients deserve a therapist who isn’t running on empty.