My Therapist Wants To Make House Calls

Visiting a client’s home is an ethical boundary violation. 

The only possible exception may be if the courts or social services are involved – but that would be very rare and only done in an official capacity.

“Professional, ethical therapists will not visit their clients’ homes or make house calls.”

To you, it might be flattering to have a therapist offer such personalized attention, but it’s important to keep meetings with your therapist completely professional. Meeting with your therapist should always be in licensed settings.

It is considered best practice to have therapy sessions in a controlled, professional environment such as the therapist’s office or through secure online platforms, such as Doxy or TeleHealth.

If your therapist suggests a visit to your home or offers a house call, this may be a sign of a red flag: it is absolutely unacceptable behavior on the part of the therapist.

“For your own safety, don’t agree to a visit at your home. This is an ethical violation.”

Involvement in this and in any personal relationships with you outside of the office, especially while acting as your therapist, is a boundary violation against the code of ethics therapists have vowed to follow.