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the time and money the client had to see themselves and their problem , difficulty , or issue as being worth it . The sacrifice of money encourages a higher level of commitment from the client . This higher motivation can contribute to the work being more successful . Astrologers sometimes create an artificial boundary of money by overcharging or undercharging for their work . When an astrologer overcharges for their work they are unavailable to the people that they could potentially help . When they undercharge , they may end up with a full schedule , burnt out , and no time to see the people who matter most in their lives . When your schedule is completely full it sometimes happens that clients who really need to see you can ’ t because you have no time . Furthermore , when undercharging ( or overcharging for that matter ) you tell the world what you think your work is worth .
Money is often a boundary for astrologers either by having too much or having to little , or fearing that they will have too little . With too much money , astrologers who do not have any financial pressure to develop a practice may hold themselves aloof and unavailable to their clients . Too little money can slow down or even prohibit a person from entering the field of astrology , as it takes some money to open a practice . Fear of too little money , or income too irregular , can prevent otherwise very talented astrologers from entering the field altogether . In either case , their potential clients suffer by their absence .
Early in my career , clients would sometimes ask for time payments , or an IOU , or a loan . Other than the inconvenience of the money itself , there is a boundary issue . When you loan money to a client you form a another , secondary relationship with this person . Dual relationships are always confusing and you are better to avoid doing this . Don ’ t give time payments , or a reduced rate . A rate reduction also puts you in a special secondary relationship with the client which will tend to reduce the potency of the work . If you feel the work is important to do , and the person can ’ t afford it , do it for free . This stops you from stepping into another relationship with the client , by becoming their loan officer or benefactor . Every professional does some work for which they aren ’ t paid . Lawyers do pro bona work etc . This is a legitimate way of contributing to the society . Just be certain that this is appropriate for both you and the client before so doing .
Relationship — these fall into two distinct categories . One , boundary issues that focus on the dynamics of the astrologer / client relationship while in session . Two , boundaries or limits that govern this relationship outside of session .
In session , simple things like how you dress and where you sit and how the furniture is placed are important considerations . Boundaries must be set and maintained by the astrologer . Boundaries either facilitate the work or oppose it . Naturally , you want your external boundaries set in a way that promotes comfort , openness , and safety for your clients .
While in session there are certain psychic boundaries that need to be maintained . It is important that your clients know they have your complicity in sharing whatever they want , freely with you . However , there are some “ common sense ” boundaries surrounding how and what you share .
During the course of dialogue you may entertain impressions or judgments which , while seeming pertinent , are really purely personal . This occurs when your client triggers some issue for you . Particular feelings or thoughts pointing to your own internal process surface in your consciousness . These psychic contents are best noted by you , but kept private . Maintaining this psychic boundary allows you to stay as fair witness , a trusted consultant for the client , while insulating them against your own emerging process . Naturally , you still want to share any insights or strategies that occur to you . Many times my best ideas didn ’ t occur while studying the chart alone , but while in dialogue with the client .
The danger of inviting clients into your inner life , by sharing your personal impressions , is that the work ends up becoming more about you and less about them . The purpose of your professional relationship is for the clients to deal with their own issues . You don ’ t want to be in collusion with them , inadvertently giving permission to avoid their own issues , while focusing on yours . There are guidelines for sharing personal information with clients . I take up the complexities of this type of boundary in other works . Here the point it to be aware that you can ’ t be a healing tool for your client if the focus shifts away from their situation to your own inner process .
It is prudent to recognize that the very nature of the astrologer / client relationship places some obligation on astrologers , as therapists , to monitor ( even avoid ) contact with clients outside of session . Generally , it is considered unethical in the helping professions to have any other relationship with a client . One type of relationship will impact another . This is why some service professions caution against accepting a person as a client where any prior relationship exists , i . e . a family member , friend , business associate , someone from whom you receive a service , etc . Further , it is often suggested to not develop a relationship beyond therapy with a client .
In some professions it is considered unethical and a violation punishable by license suspension for certain types of boundary transgressions . [ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 ]
O P A ❥ The O rganization for Professional Astrology 11 T H E C A R E E R A S T R O L O G E R S P R I N G 2 0 1 3