Behaviors range from "OK" to "it depends" to "never OK." Use your best judgement plus client feedback (verbal and non-verbal) to set effective boundaries with each individual. Professional calls, emails, or texts that are strictly business-related Eye contact and handshakes, barring reasons to avoid them (e.g,, in some cultures, direct eye contact is considered rude) “Friending’ a client on your professional social media profile Giving a small gift or prize (e.g. a book or water bottle) to a client who's put in extra effort Accepting a small gift from a client (like muffins they made) Casual socializing with clients outside of your coaching space (e.g. running into them at the grocery store and saying hello) Therapeutic touch if it's part of your job and you've gotten consent to do it Sharing personal stories to build a relationship or normalize their experience ("Oh yeah, | had a back injury too, and I felt so frustrated") “Friending” a client on your personal social media profile Socializing outside of work (e.g. going out for drinks); discussing personal issues that wouldn't be appropriate in a coaching context Telling clients your personal problems Consensually dating / having sex with a client; doing other business with them Assaulting or abusing clients; non-consensual sex; stealing; criminal acts; serious personal infringements a Riss 7A wenmure Certified Professional Coach Part 02 Participant Gude