boundaries

Picture this: Your partner said they’d be home by 9 p.m., but it’s 11 p.m. and you haven’t heard anything. When they finally walk in, you ask where they’ve been. “What do you mean? I said I’d be out late.” You remind them what time they texted, and they correct…

You check your phone and your stomach drops. Another text from them. You know engaging will leave you drained, anxious, or second-guessing yourself for hours, but ignoring it feels impossible. You’re stuck in this loop: caring about someone who consistently leaves you feeling worse, not better. Detachment isn’t about becoming…

Boundaries are a popular topic right now, especially on social media. But if you consider yourself a people pleaser, you might find it stressful—if not impossible—to set them. I’m here to convince you that setting healthy boundaries is worth the effort, both for your own well-being and your ability to…

You cancel plans with friends—again—because your partner needs you. You stay up until 2 a.m. managing your adult sibling’s crisis, even though you have an important meeting in the morning. You feel responsible for keeping everyone around you happy, and when they’re not, you’re convinced it’s your fault. What feels…

You find yourself constantly second-guessing decisions you used to make easily. You feel guilty for setting boundaries with someone who hurt you—maybe you even worry you abandoned them. You wonder if you’re overreacting, or if what you experienced really was that bad. These are all signs of narcissistic abuse, and…

I want to acknowledge how difficult this family dynamic is. This situation stirs up complicated emotions, and it’s easy to get trapped in these harmful relationship patterns with your mother. You might also have family members or friends offering their opinions on what you should do. Let’s cut through that…

Feeling angry or resentful toward family members is a common experience that can arise from various psychological, emotional, and situational factors. Whether it’s a parent, sibling, or extended relative, conflicts within families can make maintaining harmonious relationships challenging and stressful. The good news? There are strategies to navigate relationships with…

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that can make trusting other people and establishing lasting relationships extremely difficult. This can make coping with BPD in relationships frustrating for the person carrying the diagnosis, as well as for a loved one trying to understand and be supportive.  While navigating borderline…

Being in a romantic relationship has its ups and downs. But what about dating someone who has a mental health condition like bipolar disorder?  As it so happens, dating someone with bipolar disorder I or II may not be so different from dating anyone else. Although it’s true that people…

Self-advocacy is the practice of representing yourself and your interests, needs, and rights in various aspects of life, particularly in situations where your voice needs to be heard and acknowledged.  Being a good self-advocate can improve life satisfaction and overall well-being, as it facilitates empowerment and allows you to take…

Therapy is a great tool for self-improvement and gaining personal insight. While your clinician will act as a guide and help provide direction in sessions, there are also ways you as the client can foster growth and make sessions more effective for you. There are many ways to get the…

Parent-child relationships aren’t always easy to navigate, and they can become fraught with tension when past conflict goes unresolved. When someone has issues with their mother, it can be difficult to know how to change things. When managing conflict in any relationship including with one’s mother, it’s important to prioritize…