What are social boundaries?
Social boundaries are the guidelines of how we interact with other people. These can be tough because they are often unspoken and they can be different in different cultures, families, and settings (work versus being out with friends).
We all learn social boundaries as we grow up and navigate the world. Some of these lessons may help us later in life and other times we could benefit from finding new ways to interact with others.
For example, if our bodily space and privacy was not respected when we were younger, it may take work to feel comfortable communicating to others our need for personal space.
How Can Therapy Help?
On the positive side, although figuring out boundaries can feel messy and confusing, therapy can give us the tools to handle it. In turn, we can pass on these tools to those we love, especially the young ones in our life.
In therapy, we can learn how to talk to others in a way that is healthy, which means both you and the person you are talking to feel respected and heard, even if the conversation is a tough one.
Sometimes picking up on social cues (like how someone looks at you, or how they position their body) can be easier for some people than others.
Therapy can help you practice these skills in a safe space and often even make it fun.
Social skills training is a type of behavioral therapy that allows you to learn in a comfortable setting with someone who can give you supportive feedback and help you along at your pace.
Sometimes breaking down social activities (like having a conversation with someone new) into simple steps or learning through role playing can be part of this therapy.
Therapists can help us identify areas of life we may need more help with, like picking up on others’ emotions and intentions.
This can help us in multiple areas of life- at home with family, at work, at school, at a social gathering or common daily activities like going to the store.
If you find yourself, or someone you care about, often being overwhelmed by social situations, feeling confused by how to talk with others, or keeping to yourself despite still wanting to form friendships with others, therapy can help you address these common difficulties. For more information on social boundaries in relationships read our: How to Set Healthy Social Boundaries for Better Relationships There is also an article online that lists: 15 Types of Healthy Boundaries And How To Communicate Them