GCC Professional Boundaries Guidance (2026)

Q1. What is the purpose of the GCC Professional Boundaries Guidance (2026)?

Answers

A1. To support chiropractors in meeting the expectations of the Code of Professional Practice by outlining how registrants

must maintain safe, respectful, and ethical boundaries with patients, colleagues, and others in all professional contexts.

Q2. What are the six types of professional boundaries chiropractors must maintain?

A2. Sexual, emotional, financial, digital/social media, physical, and professional role boundaries

Q3. What is the difference between a boundary crossing and a boundary breach?

A3. A boundary crossing is a deviation from expected professional conduct that may or may not cause harm. A boundary

breach is a serious violation that does cause harm or has the clear potential to do so

Q4. What is boundary creep?

A4. The gradual erosion of professional boundaries over time — it often starts subtly (e.g. sharing personal details,

extending appointment times) and is a warning sign that a breach may follow if not addressed.

Q5. What are emotional boundary violations?

A5. Sharing personal problems with patients, building personal friendships, creating emotional dependency, or pursuing

relationships with current or former patients

Q6. What are financial boundary violations?

A6. Exploiting the therapeutic relationship for financial gain, not declaring conflicts of interest, allowing financial interests

to influence clinical decisions (GCC C10), or accepting substantial gifts

Q7. What is a conflict of interest?

A7. A situation where a chiropractor's own interests, or those of someone close to them, could influence — or appear to

influence — their professional judgement or actions. Includes actual, potential, and perceived conflicts.

Q8. Name three common situations that create conflicts of interest.

A8. Having a financial interest in products you recommend, treating close friends or family where boundaries may blur,

and holding personal beliefs that could influence clinical recommendations.

Q9. Do the professional boundaries principles apply outside the clinic?

A9. Yes — responsibilities as a GCC registrant apply in all contexts, including at conferences, on social media, in written

communications, and in personal relationships with former patients

Q10. What are the key reflective questions for identifying conflicts of interest?

A10. 'Where did this start?', 'What is the worst-case outcome?', 'What would a neutral observer think?', 'What does

accountability look like here?', and 'How am I upholding the Code and wider literature?'