Resolving boundary problems among therapists

When several psychotherapists work with the same client, the various domains and responsibilities of the therapists can be so unclear and confusing as to hinder the therapeutic process. The author presents a case example of a woman who was involved with 13 theraplsts of varying educational and theoretical backgrounds. Although the confusion and power struggles that occurred within this multiple-therapist system were eventually resolved, the situation caused the patient unnecessary distress. Suggestions related to clarifying therapeutic system boundaries and defining and ordering therapeutic power hierarchies are presented with the intent of facilitating more functional therapeutic systems.Special thanks to Christy Wright, David B. Pruitt, Edgar B. McColgan, Kritin McColgan, Beverly Jones, and Barbara Batts for their suggestions and technical assistance.