Suzie, a new therapist, really wants her clients to know she cares about them. During therapy, he empathizes with his patients by telling them detailed stories about his personal life. Additionally, she gave each of them her cell phone number so they could contact her whenever they needed. Do Suzie's actions represent an appropriate client/physician relationship? Why? Suzie's actions do not represent an appropriate client/physician relationship. It is critical that your doctor establish appropriate limits early in any treatment plan. Without appropriate boundaries, clients may become anxious and therapeutic expectations will be clouded (Roth & Worthington, 2011, p. 361). It is also inappropriate for Suzie to share too much personal information. According to Roth and Worthington (2011), “The type and amount of personal information a clinician shares with clients should be carefully monitored, ensuring that the focus of counseling remains clearly on clients and their needs” (p. 362). Although Suzie feels she is empathizing by sharing detailed personal information, she may be causing more harm than good. In his article “Drawing Boundaries,” Lott (1999) emphasizes that personal stories should be used sparingly and only when they can benefit the client. Finally, it may be helpful for some customers to have Suzie's phone number; however, you should use discretion in providing it. Suzie's personal therapy style, including providing her phone number, may promote client dependency (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361). Furthermore, it is not Suzie's responsibility to solve the customer's problems (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361). If a customer has Suzie's phone number, they may be tempted to call her if they have a problem. Roth & Worthington (2011) state, “The clinician's role is to assist clients in taking responsibility for their own behavior and decisions” (p. 365). In conclusion, appropriate boundaries play a crucial role in maintaining an appropriate client/clinician relationship (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361). Question 2: Suzie attended the IEP meeting for one of her new clients. During the meeting the client's mother began to cry. Suzie quickly told her mother that this was neither the time nor the place to cry. After the meeting, Suzie met with her mother and told her that she should do her best to hide her emotions. Did Suzie handle her mother's feelings correctly during the IEP meeting? Why? If Suzie is a new doctor, she may be uncomfortable with emotional outbursts (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 360).