Mindfulness Exercises to Strengthen Recovery
Did you know mindfulness exercises can help strengthen your recovery? Read all about it in this informative blog post.
Learning how to set boundaries between family members is imperative. From in-laws to siblings to second cousins, our familial relationships significantly impact our mental health status. Not only that, but the way we communicate with family lays the groundwork for how we communicate within other relationships. If navigating complex family dynamics becomes too much to bear, setting boundaries between family members can help.
Of course, we realize drawing boundaries is (wayyyy) easier said than done. That’s why our Fort Wellness Counseling team is here to help. In today’s blog post, we’re revealing eight helpful tips for setting boundaries with difficult family members. Keep reading to find some that work for you.
Before we dive right into drawing boundaries, what are they exactly? Healthy boundaries are necessary for any relationship to thrive. (This includes coworkers, friends, family, teachers, bosses, and pretty much everyone else in your life.) Your boundaries define what is acceptable and unacceptable conduct within your relationships. In other words, they state your limit.
If you’re not sure where your boundaries should be, speaking with a counselor or therapist can help. When you make an appointment with our team, we’ll help you identify the behaviors, characteristics, and actions that make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable. Then, we’ll help you establish boundaries that reflect such.
As human beings, we can set many kinds of boundaries. Different boundaries pertain to different people. However, they generally fall into these six categories:
Physical boundaries acknowledge your personal space (people touching you, for example) and physical needs.
Emotional boundaries relate to your emotional needs (like sharing feelings).
Time boundaries prioritize your time and communicate time restraints.
Sexual boundaries include your boundaries regarding consent and privacy.
Intellectual boundaries refer to the way others accept or validate your thoughts and ideas.
Material boundaries include your personal belongings.
As experienced family and couple counselors, we understand that drawing boundaries between family members can be difficult. Here are eight strategies to make it easier:
When setting healthy boundaries, it’s important to remember that your needs are important. Oftentimes, people avoid setting boundaries because they’re afraid the other person will be hurt. And when you’re communicating with family members, this can be especially scary.
However, your needs are no less important than anyone else’s. (In fact, believing the opposite is a kind of manipulation.) Therefore, make sure your boundaries reflect your desires and not someone else’s.
Creating boundaries can get a bad rap. However, it doesn’t have to be mean, defensive, or angry. (People usually respond better to kindness anyways.) When establishing your boundaries, be direct, assertive, and avoid beating around the bush. Remember that the only way to ensure your limit is understood is if you clearly and explicitly define it yourself.
Sometimes, tough conversations with family can feel overbearing. However, a counselor or therapist can ease those feelings. When you make an appointment with our team, we’ll help you identify the boundaries that you wish to set. Then, we’ll determine the best strategies to establish them. Finally, we’ll help you rehearse what you want to say and walk you step-by-step through the process.
When drawing boundaries between family members, you need to view your relationships in a realistic light. People engaged in toxic behaviors are not quick to change. Therefore, expecting them to can lead to disappointment and resentment. When you create boundaries, consider what behaviors feel tolerable. Be honest with yourself about what is and isn’t comfortable and set your standards accordingly.
When you’re in the middle of a toxic situation, it’s easy to forget that you can walk away. However, you always have the option to get up and leave an uncomfortable situation. If difficult family members are making you feel hurt (or like you need to defend yourself), you don’t have to continue engaging with them.
Part of setting boundaries is knowing what you will and will not tolerate. If something reaches the latter (aka your limit), it’s perfectly acceptable to remove yourself. You don’t have to explain or apologize.
Anticipating a tough conversation with family can be overwhelming and/or anxiety-inducing. However, making a list can help. Writing out your points can help you remember what you want to say. Additionally, you can list coping strategies and responses to potential scenarios/outcomes. You might even consider journaling about this.
We are all responsible for our actions. Therefore, it is your job to establish your boundaries and stick by them. However, we understand that this can feel overwhelming. A self-care routine can help you recognize your worth and motivate you to stand up for what you deserve. If you’re not sure where to begin, our team can help you create one.
Every one of us has triggers, and all our triggers are different. Before entering a tough conversation, you should know the answers to the following questions:
If you anticipate your boundary conversation to be triggering, you can role-play with a friend or therapist beforehand. Additionally, if you’re not sure what your triggers are (or how to handle them), a licensed professional therapist can help you identify and cope with them.
There’s no denying that relationships are tricky to navigate. If you need help drawing firm boundaries with your friends or family, the counselors at Fort Wellness Counseling can help you.
We have extensive experience providing therapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Thanks to our individualized approach, we can offer you personalized strategies to restore your relationships and alleviate your day-to-day stressors.
Ready to see what we can do for you? Book your appointment with our team today.
Did you know mindfulness exercises can help strengthen your recovery? Read all about it in this informative blog post.
On the hunt for a counselor Fort Worth? Our team reveals exactly how to find one in this blog post. Find out how to find a counselor now.
Wondering how to not be codependent in a relationship? This blog post reveals warning signs & coping strategies for codependency.
Navigating parental anxiety? Today’s blog reveals parental anxiety symptoms and coping strategies from a Fort Worth therapist.
Looking for EMDR therapy Fort Worth? Our certified and trained EMDR clinicians explain everything you need to know about EMDR in this blog post.
Looking for some proven tips to sleep better at night? Our expert therapists reveal 8 proven ways to get more shut-eye. Discover how.
Wondering how to have a healthy relationship with social media or how social media affects mental health? Check out our expert advice now.
What is the goal of psychotherapy? Our experts reveal the benefits of talk therapy in today’s blog post. (And why it works!)
Brainspotting therapy is an alternative technique used to release trauma. Here are brainspotting risks, benefits & brainspotting vs. EMDR.
Healing after an affair and affair recovery can seem impossible. An affair recovery therapist discusses tips for affair recovery. Learn more in this helpful blog article about affair recovery.
Regularly practicing gratitude is intrinsically linked to our mental well-being. This blog post covers the top 12 benefits of gratitude.
Have you caught the winter blues? This blog post explains what seasonal depression is, its symptoms, and how to avoid it.
How can you keep a relationship strong and healthy? This blog post shares 10 strategies to maintain a healthy and happy relationship.
This how-to guide covers the 10 best ways to calm yourself down when you’re overwhelmed, angry, or anxious. Discover which ones work for you!
Setting boundaries with your family members lays the framework for healthy relationships. Learn how to set boundaries between family members by reading this helpful blog article.
Learn the 7 symptoms of a quarter-life crisis — and how to overcome it. Learn more about the quarter-life crisis in this informative article. Discover now.
These 6 warning signs are easy to recognize and not to be ignored. If you suspect that you or someone else has an alcohol problem, act now.
Learn how to deal with anxiety and stress using healthy coping skills. Here are different techniques you can use to help calm your anxiety and manage stress.
A great way to improve your mental health is by journaling. If you are not sure where to start, these self-care journaling prompts can help. Learn more.
You may have to wait before you get started with counseling. Discover steps you can take while you wait for therapy in this helpful article. Learn more.
Discover what postpartum depression is and how you can use different therapy strategies and resource options to live a healthy, happy life and overcome it.
Are you feeling stressed out? Overwhelmed? Increasingly anxious? If so, you aren’t alone. Learn how stress impacts your body in this article.
A panic attack can be overpowering. Knowing what to do can help you regain control. This article looks at 9 ways to stop a panic attack. Learn how.
It’s essential to watch your mental health when working from home. Discover how working from home impacts your mental health and learn mental health tips.
8 Signs You’re Addicted to Porn. How do you know if your porn use is problematic? In this article we reveal how you can find out. Learn more.
Do I need therapy? Therapy is a common treatment for mental health and everyday hardships. 8 Signs It’s Time to Consider Therapy. Learn more.
Learn what you can do to help support someone depressed and how to help. Learn 8 tips for how to show support from a licensed counselor.
Before stress takes a toll on your health, learn how you can keep it under control and manage it with 15 stress management coping skills.
Do you want to learn useful strategies for getting through difficult times? Click here to learn more about how to cope during tough times.
FOMO, the fear of missing out, is a societal problem that is getting worse. Click here to learn more about FOMO and 8 tips to cope with it.
Check out the blog to learn about Christian counseling and mental health therapy. Learn more about Christian counseling in Fort Worth.
Learn some helpful strategies from a Fort Worth based relationship therapist and marriage counselor. Couples therapy is a common strategy to work through relationship issues.
Attend therapy in Fort Worth with counselors and therapists to build positive habits and improve your routine. Learn more.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common models used by the best therapists in counseling. We provide therapy in Fort Worth.
Want to know how therapists can help with anxiety in counseling? Learn more about how counselors can treat anxiety in therapy.
Want to learn more about alcohol treatment and outpatient options for alcohol in Fort Worth? We provide outpatient treatment for alcohol.
Depression treatment in Fort Worth. Gratitude can help with depression. In this article, the therapist discusses the power of gratitude.
The Continuum of Addiction and When to Reach Out For Help Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP Many people have a difficult time truly understanding
Learn more about depression by reading this informative article. We discuss things to know about depression. Talk therapy can help depression.
Attend therapy if you are struggling and want to feel better. If you are looking for some support and need a counselor to help guide you.
Find therapists by narrowing your choices down. Find one close to where you live and work. Ask therapists questions during a free consult.
Read What To Expect At Your First Therapy Session At Fort Wellness Counseling, Pt 3 at FortWellness.com and learn how to prepare for your first treatment, the session itself and what to do after your first session.
Read The Benefits of Attending Therapy with a Counselor and Therapist, Pt 2 at FortWellness.com and learn about the improved emotional well-being you can expect.
Read What is Counseling, Mental Health Therapy, Psychotherapy and Talk Therapy? Pt 1 at FortWellness.com as we unpack what therapy is and the misconceptions about therapy.