title: Crossing the Boundaries of Privacy in Accidental Encounters: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Therapists' Experiences.
abstract: This qualitative study explores psychodynamic therapists' experiences associated with unexpected encounters with their patients outside the clinical setting. Information was collected using a semi-structured interview protocol from 10 experienced practitioners in Poland and examined according to the interpretative phenomenological analysis principles. Four overarching themes are discussed in the paper. Results show that accidental encounters often challenged practitioners' privacy, led to involuntary self-disclosure (causing discomfort and distress) and required re-negotiating roles and boundaries in the new context. Various coping strategies were also identified and analysed, including withdrawal, anticipation and avoidance, as well as using community support. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for mental health professionals and psychotherapy training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All people manage their boundaries of privacy. Therapists should thoroughly consider circumstances, and personal or situational risk factors, which lead to crossing or violating these boundaries. They need to reflect upon the social and personal limitations associated with their occupation and the price they have to pay for the high status role.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Igor J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Pietkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D018907:Privacy / Q000523:psychology*; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure
keywords: accidental self-disclosure; boundaries of privacy; interpretative phenomenological analysis; psychodynamic psychotherapists