Part 1: Overview of Boundaries

Because this is such an important topic, I decided it would be best to cover it in a few posts

Issues relating to boundaries are one of the most common reason individuals reach out to me for professional counselling. Clients may not know that boundary problems are what they are seeking help with at first, but after one or two sessions it is often revealed that the underlying issues they are facing are relating to issues around boundaries.

This will make more sense as we explore this topic further over the next week or so.

Topics I would like to explore are:

• What are boundaries?

• In what settings do we need boundaries?

• What are the types of boundaries we may use?

• What are the benefits of having boundaries?

• How do we create and maintain boundaries?

• What are some common barriers we may encounter when setting boundaries?

For today, I will start with an overview of what boundaries and when might we need them

Boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves (within relationships) that indicate what we find acceptable and unacceptable regarding others behavior towards us

Boundaries help us clarify our values

A person with healthy boundaries can say “no” to others

Healthy boundaries provide a framework for navigating relationships, intimate, family or professional.

The ability to set healthy boundaries generally stems from a healthy sense of self-worth that is not reliant on other people, or the feelings they have toward you

boundaries may be beneficial in many setting, including:

• intimate relationships

• within families

• with co-workers or employers

• with friends

• with other people we may have contact and/or interactions with

• for example a student, a caregiver, a pastor, a teacher

Boundaries in each of these situations/relationships will look different, but all serve a similar purpose

Why do we need boundaries?

• Boundaries protect our time and energy

• Boundaries protect and enhance our relationships

• They preserve our capacity for loving others

• They protect our mental health

• They make us examine our own limits and clarify our values

• Boundaries challenge us to communicate more directly, which helps to prevent miscommunications, misunderstandings and avoids built up resentment

• Boundaries keep us from over-extending ourselves

if you found this helpful, please check back soon for a continuation of "boundaries"

As always, if you have any questions relating to this or any other mental health related topic, feel free to reach out via email or book a one on one session through my booking page