Boundary Setting
In-person therapy in Charlotte, NC
Online therapy throughout NC, SC, and CO
Understanding Boundary Setting
At Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting, we understand that setting healthy boundaries is essential for maintaining emotional well-being and fostering positive relationships.
Whether it’s learning to say no, communicating your needs effectively, or managing personal space, we recognize that boundaries play a critical role in protecting your mental health. We will work with you to explore areas where boundaries may be lacking, helping you develop the confidence and skills to assert your limits in a respectful, empowering way.
By learning to set clear, healthy boundaries, you can improve self-esteem, reduce stress, and cultivate more balanced, fulfilling relationships.
Some common boundaries issues include:
Always saying yes to extra work projects, leading to burnout and resentment
Lending money repeatedly to the same person who never pays you back
Allowing friends to vent endlessly without reciprocal emotional support
Letting family members make major decisions about your life without your input
Accepting a partner who consistently shows up late or cancels plans last minute
Tolerating friends who share your private information with others
Being the person everyone calls during their crisis but never checking on you
Allowing coworkers to interrupt you constantly during focused work time
Letting neighbors use your property or belongings without asking permission
Accepting criticism or put-downs from others disguised as "just being honest"
Therapy Can Help
We can help you develop healthy boundary-setting skills by guiding you through the process of recognizing where boundaries may be needed in your life and relationships.
Through supportive and compassionate therapy, you’ll learn how to assert your needs, communicate effectively, and establish limits that protect your emotional and mental well-being. Therapists can teach you practical strategies for saying no, managing expectations, and maintaining personal space, while also helping you build confidence to set boundaries in a way that fosters self-respect and strengthens your relationships.
Whether you struggle with people-pleasing or difficulty saying no, therapy can empower you to create balance and prioritize your needs.
Our Approach to Setting Boundaries
Natalie Thomas, LCSW, LISW-CP, ACS
Founder of Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting
I believe that setting healthy boundaries is one of the most powerful skills you can develop for your mental health and relationships.
Many people struggle with boundaries because they've been taught that saying "no" is selfish or that prioritizing their own needs makes them a bad person. I'm here to help you unlearn those messages.
In our work together, we'll explore where boundaries may be lacking in your life and why they might feel difficult to establish. Often, boundary issues stem from people-pleasing patterns, fear of conflict, or past experiences that taught you your needs don't matter. We'll address these underlying beliefs while building your confidence to advocate for yourself.
I love empowering my clients with learning what boundaries actually are, why they're essential for healthy relationships, and how to communicate them effectively. You'll learn practical scripts for different situations, strategies for maintaining boundaries when others test them, and ways to set limits that feel authentic to your personality and values.
Together, we'll help you move from feeling overwhelmed and taken advantage of to feeling confident and in control of your time, energy, and relationships.
Healthy boundaries don't push people away—they actually strengthen relationships by creating mutual respect and clarity about expectations.
Start Setting Healthy Boundaries Today
What to Expect in Our Therapy Sessions
When working with us on boundary setting, you can expect a direct, empowering approach that gives you concrete tools and language to use immediately.
In our sessions, we'll work on:
Identifying where boundaries are missing in your life and why they feel difficult to establish
Understanding the difference between healthy boundaries and walls that shut people out
Learning specific scripts and phrases for different boundary-setting situations
Practicing how to communicate your limits clearly and kindly without over-explaining
Developing strategies to handle pushback, guilt trips, or manipulation from others
Building confidence to maintain your boundaries even when others test them
Creating personalized approaches that fit your personality and relationship dynamics
Through our work together, you'll gain not just the knowledge of what boundaries are, but the practical skills and inner confidence to implement them consistently.
Many clients find that as they begin setting boundaries, their relationships actually improve because there's greater mutual respect and clearer expectations for everyone involved.
Client Success Story
“I came to therapy because I was feeling a sense of disorder In my life and wanting someone to talk to, to help me navigate changes and difficulty in my life. Therapy has been so helpful so far! I feel like I just took a big breath of fresh air after I leave each session. Natalie is calm, relatable and understanding, and talking with her has been so easy.
I really love that I leave sessions with a plan for what to do, actions to take, and I feel so good about the talks I’ve had to have with my family members, because Natalie and I figure out what I need to do/say.
Therapy has been so useful and provides me with some tools I knew I was missing but just didn’t know what they were. It has improved my communication, my ability to set boundaries, and this experience has eased my anxiety towards going to therapy in general!”
— Previous Client
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Find Your Voice in
Difficult Conversations.
Learn exactly what to say when someone crosses your boundaries. Develop the confidence to advocate for yourself in any situation.
Frequently Asked
Questions
About Setting Boundaries
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Setting boundaries is actually about creating healthier relationships, not being selfish. When you clearly communicate your limits, you're giving others important information about how to treat you respectfully. Selfishness involves disregarding others' needs entirely, while boundaries allow you to take care of yourself so you can show up better in your relationships. Healthy boundaries benefit everyone involved.
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Guilt around boundary setting is incredibly common, especially if you've been taught that your needs don't matter or that you should always put others first. We'll work together to understand where this guilt comes from and challenge the beliefs that fuel it. You'll learn that feeling guilty doesn't mean you're doing something wrong—it often means you're doing something different, which can feel uncomfortable at first.
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Some people may react negatively when you begin setting boundaries, especially if they've benefited from your lack of boundaries in the past. This reaction often says more about them than about you. We'll prepare you for these responses and develop strategies for staying firm while remaining respectful. Remember, people who truly care about you will respect your boundaries, even if they need time to adjust.
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Often, your emotions are great indicators of where boundaries are needed. If you frequently feel resentful, overwhelmed, taken advantage of, or drained after interactions with certain people, those are signs that boundaries might be missing. In our sessions, we'll explore your specific situations and help you identify where limits would be most beneficial for your wellbeing.