There’s a current trend to cut off family members who hurt us. But the key to healthier relationships is teaching our clients how to establish boundaries.
Boundaries are expectations and needs that help your clients feel safe and comfortable in their relationships. And as a clinician, you are there to help the client recognize dysfunctional patterns and choose a path forward.
Setting healthy boundaries can give your clients peace even when the other person hasn’t changed, so it’s important to be able to identify the signs that your client may need healthier boundaries in family relationships.
Bestselling author and relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab shared with us 10 things clients might say to stay in unhealthy relationships during her keynote at the
2023 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, so you can recognize dysfunctional family patterns and help your clients choose the best path forward.
10 Things Clients Might Say to Stay in Unhealthy Relationships - I know things will get better soon
- I can see the great person she’ll become
- I just don’t have the financial means or resources to be on my own
- I can’t imagine life without them
- But we've been through so much together
- I do so much for them and don't think they can’t manage without my help
- But what if I'm making the wrong decision?
- I'm sure they'll end our relationship soon
- There are so many others that would be impacted
- I'm fine - I don't think the relationship is all that much work
Want to understand the six types of boundaries? Read Nedra’s blog and download her free infographic
here.
You can find more boundaries insight like these in our upcoming
FREE live workshop with Nedra Glover Tawwab and three relationship experts – Lindsay Gibson, PsyD, Joshua Coleman, PhD, and Karl Pillemer, PhD – on March 27, 2023.