Author: Hannah Gantt, LPCC
There are many different types of boundaries, but they share the same goal; to help you feel safe and protected.
What are Boundaries?
Boundaries are the limits you set for yourself and others. They help you feel safe and protected, more confident, in control of your life, and able to take care of yourself.
Boundaries are not meant to make people angry or upset at you. Instead, they help them know what is okay with you (and what isn't). Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being. Here are 7 vital reasons why:
● Boundaries define who we are and what we like and don't like.
● We can accomplish what's important to us.
● Boundaries prevent resentment.
● People can't use us.
● Others know what to expect when we voice our needs.
● Boundaries promote respect and self-reliance. ● Boundaries create safety within relationships.
People struggle with setting boundaries for a number of reasons. Many you tend to prioritize others before yourself. Maybe you just want to be liked. Or maybe you lack boundaries out of fear or conflict or rejection instilled years ago. Whatever your reason, it all boils down to knowing you and your needs. However, it's important to remember that we have choices and can learn how to set healthy boundaries in a way that feels safe and comfortable for us.
We establish personal boundaries to define how we would like to be treated by people around us, as well as what our reactions will be when those lines are crossed. Our core values and beliefs form the basis for these guidelines—our past experiences influence them too.
Having a healthy sense of self-worth is essential for setting and maintaining boundaries. When we value ourselves, we are more likely to recognize our own needs and assert them with others. Conversely, when we lack self-worth, we may struggle to advocate for ourselves and allow others to cross our boundaries.
Now that you know what healthy boundaries are and how they can help you, it's time to start setting them. You may already have some boundaries in place, but if not, don't worry! We'll walk through the process together step by step.
There are many different types of boundaries, but they share the same goal; to help you feel safe and protected.
There are many different types of boundaries, but they share the same goal: to help you feel safe and protected.
Boundaries can be physical (like setting a boundary on what time you'll go home), emotional (like setting a boundary on how much attention another person can give you), mental (like setting a boundary around what thoughts or beliefs are acceptable for yourself), or spiritual (like setting a boundary around your relationship with God). Boundaries can also change over time as we grow in our understanding of ourselves and our needs.
What's important is that healthy boundaries protect us from anything that would hurt us physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Unhealthy boundaries don't allow us to have space between ourselves and others--they leave us feeling trapped by our attachments with people who aren't good for us!
The altered state of consciousness experienced during psychedelic therapy sessions may allow individuals to gain insights, explore underlying emotions and traumas, and view their experiences from different perspectives. Is it possible that this altered state can potentially help individuals confront and process deeply ingrained patterns of behavior and beliefs that hinder healthy boundary-setting and self-worth? A main goal of ours is to strengthen a person's sense of self through sessions, and although we cannot attribute change 100% to ketamine, we have seen powerful improvements in this realm which in turn helps an individual feel stronger in their boundary setting.
The bottom line is that boundaries are important, and they can help you feel safe in your relationships. If you're not sure where to start, try thinking about what makes you feel safe or uncomfortable in different situations. From there, it should be easier to identify any unhealthy patterns in how people treat each other or how much distance they keep between themselves and others (including yourself).
This blog is not medical advice or therapeutic advice but general knowledge to help you get the most out of your experiences with psychedelic therapy. At-home psychedelic therapy sessions with generic ketamine may be prescribed "off-label" for suitable candidates as an alternative pathway. Over the last two decades, research suggests that ketamine may be able to safely and effectively improve many treatment-resistant conditions. A form of ketamine, Esketamine (Spravato), is an FDA-approved medication for depression. Spravato treatments are only available in-person in our office. Our at-home programs include therapeutic guidance, safety protocols, breathwork, virtual treatment preparation and 1-on-1 integration coaching to get the most out of your sessions.
