Dr. Sharon Martin - Better Boundaries

Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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Whether it's in our personal relationships, at work, or even with ourselves, boundaries are essential for our well-being and peace of mind. Yet, many of us - even clinicians I might add - at times struggle with this practice, often feeling overwhelmed, guilty, or unsure of how to start. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sharon Martin discuss insights from your new book "Better Boundaries Guided Journal" which offerings practical advice and thoughtful discussion on how to establish boundaries that protect our time, energy, and emotional health. In this conversation we cover:

• what inspired her to create the "Better Boundaries Guided Journal"
• the most common misconceptions people have about setting boundaries.
• the flexible application of boundaries.
• overcoming the fear of conflict or potential for ejection that may come with setting boundaries.
• the role that guilt play in preventing people from setting boundaries, and how can someone work through these feelings?
• managing the challenge of connecting with resentment that has built up when we do start enforcing boundaries.
• why clinicians may be particularly challenged with respect to implementing the very boundaries that they encourage for their clients.
• the influence of family of origin on our boundary-setting abilities.
• boundaries as an extention of self-care.
• the importance of recognizing personal rights in boundary-setting and how someone can begin to assert these rights in a way that feels authentic to them?
• helping clients who are considering putting hard boundaries between themselves and their family, including no contact.
• enforcing boundaries within the workplace.
• setting realistic expectations around boundary setting and the reactions of others
• using boundary setting to evaluate the health of a relationship.

Bio: Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist devoted to teaching clients to love and accept themselves. She has practiced psychotherapy for over twenty years, drawing strongly on positive psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. Martin is a regular columnist for popular online publications, including Psychology Today and PsychCentral. She is a frequent guest on health and wellness podcasts. Her well-informed insights are featured on numerous websites, including The Good Men Project, Highly Sensitive Refuge, and Healthline. Along with her extensive contributions to online media, Martin authors both e-books and printed titles. Her newest book, The Better Boundaries Workbook, helps clients find their voices and express their needs, allowing them to set limits and cultivate healthier relationships in their lives. Martin provides freely accessible affirmations and worksheets via her website, reflecting her passion for helping people learn self-compassion and self-acceptance.