What should an RSS avoid to maintain professional boundaries?

Maintaining professional boundaries is crucial for recovery support specialists to ensure that the participant’s journey is guided by a clear and effective framework. Engaging in friendships with participants can blur the lines of professionalism, making it difficult to maintain an objective perspective. Such friendships may lead to conflicts of interest, where the specialist's ability to support the participant could be compromised. The relationship may shift from a professional one to a personal one, which could affect the specialist's ability to provide unbiased guidance.

In contrast, offering support during sessions, providing resources, and encouraging participant empowerment all align with the professional responsibilities of an RSS. These actions promote a supportive environment that fosters growth without crossing into personal relationships that could complicate the professional dynamic.