.

Professional Boundaries in Health

Health care Professional CPD - 8 hour online COURSE
What are your professional boundary blind spots? Practitioners know the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, for the safety of patients, clients, and themselves. However this can be easier said than done.

Learn to spot the warning signs that boundaries may be weakening, develop strategies to maintain those boundaries and safe-guard your career from an AHPRA complaint.
Write your awesome label here.

Viewing

3.5 hours of short form videos

Reading

3 hours of text and case studies

Assessment

1.5 hours of assessment and reflection

Certificate

Immediate on completion 

Presented in partnership with Wendy McIntosh

Since establishing Davaar Consultancy Training & Development in 2005, Wendy McIntosh has helped countless practitioners to improve their professional conduct and overcome hurdles in their careers.


Over 40 years as a health professional (clinical, education and research), with twenty-five of those years in mental health has given Wendy a specific interest and expertise in professional boundaries, professional supervision, professional identity, trauma informed approaches to care and causes for boundary transgressions.
  
Regularly presenting workshops at national & International conferences, Wendy consistently receives feedback on her passion, knowledge and creativity as a presenter & facilitator. 

David Gardner is joined by Dr Wendy McIntosh (PhD) for this eye opening journey into the perils of weakened boundaries, the psychological factors at the root of boundary violations and the tools you can use to help you maintain professional boundaries and practise safely.

As with all of our courses, the learning format is an engaging mix of reading and videos with reflective exercises designed to make taking in this wealth of information as enjoyable and effective as possible.  

Core Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand the definitions integral to professional boundaries and be able to use those definitions to reflect on your practice

• Understand the professional boundary framework and how it can be used to identify and problem solve potential/actual boundary transgressions

• Identify the red flags that inform of boundary transgressions and be able to implement strategies to manage the risks posed when those red flags arise

• Notice the verbal and nonverbal clues that may occur in the interactions between a health professional and a client/patient, and be able to implement strategies to manage risk

• Understand the reasons for boundary transgressions and be able to reflect and identify possible risk factors in your own practice

• Utilise and implement strategies that can be used for yourself, colleagues, and organisationally

• Be aware that the maintenance of professional boundaries is a lifelong commitment.
cpd home certified learning providerApproved healthcare professional educationApproved CPD training on professional boundaries

Course Contents

1

Introduction


Intended learning outcomes and the importance of being curious.

2

Language and definitions

Why the language we use to communicate with one another about professional boundaries is important. 
3

The professional boundary framework

How to identify and problem solve potential transgressions. Personal over/under-involvement, power and vulnerability, acts of kindness.
4

Categories of concern

Treating friends & family, confidentiality, gifts, dual & multiple relationships. Dive into the risks with real case studies which illustrate some of the best and worst outcomes. 
5

Red flags

There are so many! Learn how to spot them and take action before they can develop into a professional boundary complaint. 
6

Psychodynamic models

What can happen within the mind of the practitioner at a professional boundary crossroad? The impacts of surprising or stressful situations,  transference and the limbic system.
7

Strategies

Implement personal and organisational strategies including: professional boundary scripts, self care, stress management, the Third Space, and how to end a professional relationship. 
8

Conclusion

Explore a hypothetical scenario, complete the course assessments, and immediately receive your CPD certificate.

8 hours claimable online CPD
Self-paced training - 12 month access

Please enquire if you are interested in organisational pricing for multiple users.
Guaranteed Security using one of the most advanced encrypted systems on the market.
The information in this page is being processed and encrypted securely using industry-leading encryption and fraud prevention tools.

Our latest feedback:

Absolutely excellent. I have learnt so much and it was presented in a really lovely, respectful way. The course shows a real understanding of what clinicians go through. I wish I had completed this a long time ago. Thank you.
- Professsional boundaries in health 
Really useful course, appreciated it very much. Will utilise these principles in practice immediately and recommend to my work places as i am a locum.
Extremely well structured learning program. Needs to be almost mandatory in our regular CPD. 
- Professsional boundaries in health 
I think the course it amazing and you bring a wealth of knowledge and realism to this course. 
- Professsional boundaries in health 
This course is exceptional. I have learned a huge amount, and as you said David, I do wish I had known all this much earlier in my career. The mix of videos and written info with diagrams... made learning much easier, and the quizzes throughout were helpful.
I loved the Mug of people metaphor, and the Hare and the Tortoise.
- Professsional boundaries in health 

Control how you learn & progress

On demand learning

Complete the course where you want, when you want and revisit the materials as often as you like for 12 months, even after you've received your certificate.

Current content you can trust

There's no need to second guess if something you're reading is still relevant. This course was built in October 2025 and will be updated regularly.

Online platform

Built for simplicity, login on any device and pick up where you left off in a single click.

Real world examples 

Making mistakes is a great way to learn, but learning from mistakes others have made is even better!