CRC Boundary Setting & Self-Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A recovery coach notices they feel drained after every session with a particular client. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Terminate the coaching relationship immediately
- Reflect on whether a personal boundary has been crossed (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a therapist without explanation
- Increase session frequency to resolve the issue faster
Correct answer: Reflect on whether a personal boundary has been crossed
Self-reflection helps the coach identify if emotional depletion signals a boundary that needs to be established or reinforced.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a 'porous' boundary in a coaching relationship?
- A boundary that is clearly communicated at the start of coaching
- A boundary that is overly rigid and prevents genuine connection
- A boundary that is loosely enforced, allowing frequent exceptions (Correct answer)
- A boundary that shifts based on the client's cultural background
Correct answer: A boundary that is loosely enforced, allowing frequent exceptions
Porous boundaries are inconsistently maintained, creating confusion about roles and expectations in the relationship.
Question 3: A client calls a recovery coach at midnight claiming it is an emergency, but the issue is not life-threatening. What should the coach do?
- Answer and provide full coaching support to maintain trust
- Ignore the call and address it at the next session
- Follow the after-hours protocol established at intake and redirect appropriately (Correct answer)
- Transfer the client to a different coach
Correct answer: Follow the after-hours protocol established at intake and redirect appropriately
Pre-established after-hours protocols protect both the coach and client while ensuring safety needs are still addressed.
Question 4: Self-care for a recovery coach primarily serves which purpose in the professional context?
- To meet licensing renewal requirements
- To maintain the capacity to be present and effective with clients (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate work-life balance to clients as a role model
- To reduce liability in the event of client complaints
Correct answer: To maintain the capacity to be present and effective with clients
Consistent self-care sustains a coach's emotional and physical resources, directly supporting their effectiveness with clients.
Question 5: When a recovery coach shares personal recovery experiences with a client, this is an example of:
- Boundary violation that must be reported
- Inappropriate dual relationship
- Appropriate self-disclosure if used intentionally to benefit the client (Correct answer)
- A mandatory disclosure under coaching ethics
Correct answer: Appropriate self-disclosure if used intentionally to benefit the client
Intentional, purposeful self-disclosure can normalize recovery experiences and build rapport when it centers the client's benefit.
Question 6: A coach begins developing romantic feelings for a client in recovery. The most ethical response is to:
- Continue coaching if feelings are not acted upon
- Disclose feelings to the client to maintain transparency
- Seek supervision and arrange a referral to another coach (Correct answer)
- Take a short break from sessions until the feelings pass
Correct answer: Seek supervision and arrange a referral to another coach
Seeking supervision and referring the client protects the client's wellbeing and maintains professional integrity.
Question 7: Which practice BEST helps a recovery coach prevent secondary traumatic stress?
- Limiting caseload size and engaging in regular clinical supervision (Correct answer)
- Avoiding clients with severe trauma histories
- Keeping detailed session notes to process events intellectually
- Scheduling clients back-to-back to minimize idle time
Correct answer: Limiting caseload size and engaging in regular clinical supervision
Manageable caseloads and supervision provide structural protection against accumulating vicarious trauma.
CRC Boundary Setting & Self-Care 2
A recovery coach notices they feel drained after every session with a particular client.
What is the most appropriate first step?