Client Conduct Policy

Client Conduct & Professional Boundaries Policy

Welcome to KC Character Development. We are dedicated to providing a safe and respectful therapeutic environment where all clients feel secure and supported. To ensure this, we have a strict policy on client conduct and professional boundaries. 

​

Zero Tolerance for Harassment & Aggression

This policy applies to all interactions with your therapist, including in-person, tele-health, and any other form of communication. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance on harassment, aggression, and inappropriate behavior. Such conduct will not be tolerated and is grounds for a verbal warning and depending on the circumstances may include the immediate termination of therapy services.

​

Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action:

• Verbal Harassment & Abuse: Any form of verbal aggression, including shouting, hostile language, intimidation, ridicule, insults, or threats directed at your therapist. This also encompasses any form of discrimination based on a person's race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Examples of this may include:

  • Disparaging jokes

  • Epithets

  • Insults

  • Negative stereotyping

  • Threats

  • Any other words or conduct that demean, stigmatize, intimidate, or single out a person due to the protected characteristics listed above

• Physical Harassment & Aggression: This includes any physical violence, unwanted physical contact, or threatening gestures such as:

  • Creating an intimidating physical situation for the person, such as trapping the person in a doorway or corner, or blocking normal movement.

  • Damaging personal property

  • Offensive gestures

  • Physical assaults, threats, or threatening behavior

  • Physical contact such as touching of clothing, hair, skin, face or body

  • Possession or display of derogatory pictures, writings, or graphic materials (e.g. digital, tangible, and other media)

  • Threatening behaviors or actions

• Sexual Harassment: Any and all sexual advances are unwelcome including requests for sexual favors and inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. This includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate comments about the therapist's or others’ bodies, sexual jokes, or sharing of sexually explicit materials. Examples of this may also include:

  • Asking intrusive questions about sexuality or repeatedly asking about your therapist's personal life

  • Attempted or actual sexual assault

  • Display of pornography, graphic pictures, materials or writings in session

  • Giving gifts or leaving objects that are sexually suggestive

  • Making physical sounds or gestures of a sexual nature towards your therapist

  • Making sexual comments about your therapist's appearance or body

  • Making sexual innuendos and comments

  • Requests for sexual favors

  • Sexual pranks, or repeated sexual teasing, jokes, or innuendo, in person or via email or other online platforms

  • Sexual and/or offensive gestures including touching oneself inappropriately during session 

​

Understanding Transference

It is important to understand that in therapy, a process called transference can sometimes occur. This is a normal, unconscious process where feelings, attitudes, or desires from past significant relationships are redirected onto your therapist. While exploring transference can be a valuable part of the therapeutic process, it does not provide an excuse for violating this policy. All professional boundaries must be respected at all times.

To ensure therapy is a safe and effective space for both of us, I am committed to always upholding the highest professional ethics. This means I will never have what are called dual relationships with clients. A dual relationship is when a therapist has a second, separate connection with a client that is not part of the therapeutic process. This could be a social, business, or personal relationship. My professional ethics and state laws explicitly prohibit these types of relationships. My commitment to these clear boundaries ensures our work together remains focused on your healing and growth. 

​

Policy Violations & Consequences

Any violation of this policy will be taken seriously and addressed immediately. The response will be proportionate to the nature and severity of the behavior. Depending on the situation, this may result in a formal verbal warning. In cases of severe or repeated violations, therapy services will be terminated. If your therapy services are terminated for a policy violation, we will provide you with referrals to other therapists to ensure your continuity of care.