Boundary Coaching for Therapists
As therapists and practice owners we can only take our clients and employees as far as we ourselves have gone. We cannot teach them skills we don't have.
I hear therapists express a desire to build strong, healthy relationships with clients, colleagues, and more and yet so often boundaries are left out of the conversation for fear of cutting people off.
But the truth is that boundaries strengthen relationships, they aren’t about cutting off, it’s about welcoming in safely.
Boundaries create emotional and relational safety when centered in care and honesty.
Where do you most struggle to set boundaries?
Clients
Setting boundaries with clients can feel overwhelming for myriad reasons. What if it ruptures the therapeutic relationship? What if they leave? What if nobody else in their life will support them in the way they need?
Colleagues
This can be one of the trickiest domains to set boundaries, and one of the most important. As our field is overrun with venture capitalists and becomes harder and harder to navigate, strong interpersonal relationships will be the key to staying afloat.
Supervisees
As a supervisor you set the tone for the skills your supervisee will use for the rest of their career. Without boundaries in supervision it becomes hard for new clinicians to hold boundaries in session.
Employees
As practice leaders we want to offer our employees something we didn’t have working in community mental health or for practice owners who micro managed and left us feeling used and rung out. We want to offer safety, but unboundaried working environments aren’t safe even though they look peaceful.
You Can’t Model What You Don’t Practice. Let’s Change That
There are several interlocking layers of boundaries to juggle for those in the mental health field. Boundaries with clients, colleagues, employees, and supervisees just to name a few. And while we often know the boundary is important it can be genuinely hard to find the ethical, professional, care centered way to set them.
Key Elements of Effective Boundaries
Care Centered
We are looking to create boundaries that strengthen our connection and relational safety, not keep people out!
Honest
A dishonest boundary serves no one and to be honest with others you must first be honest with yourself.
Dialectical
Both firm and flexible at the same time, malleable and enforceable.
Behavioral
At the end of the day the boundary isn’t what you say or what they do. Your boundary is your behavior!
You deserve practical support, not just platitudes.
I offer coaching that is responsive to your actual situation. To the people and relationships that matter to you.
Let’s Work Together
If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.