Boundaries within relationships between patients and their physical therapist or physical therapist assistant are important in supporting trust in therapeutic relationships. Clinicians are responsible for establishing, maintaining, and, if necessary, restoring professional boundaries. According to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, a PT or PTA, rather than a patient, is much more likely to cross professional and legal boundaries in clinical relationships. Yet, situations of unwanted attention and inappropriate sexual behaviors from patients occur in physical therapist practice.
