Boundaries is the ‘B’ pillar in FABULOUS framework for fostering resilience. Over thirty-five years ago, McCann and Pearlman introduced the concept of vicarious trauma (VT), shedding light on the emotional toll that helping others through their trauma can take. Research reveals several key factors that protect individuals from the impact of VT, including regular supervision, peer support, diverse caseloads, specialized trauma training, and a workplace culture that acknowledges and validates the presence of VT. While these interventions are essential for preventing the long-term negative effects of secondary trauma exposure, it’s equally crucial to emphasize the role of boundaries in protecting against VT.
Boundaries: The Margins That Define Your Space
Boundaries are like the margins of a page—they outline your space and set limits, ensuring you stay within your boundaries, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual. Just as margins guide the text, boundaries guide how you interact with others. They help you stay clear and focused, preventing you from spilling over into areas where you don’t feel comfortable. These boundaries help you decide how to respond when someone crosses those lines, whether it’s by softly letting things slide, firmly drawing a line that won’t be crossed, or staying flexible while still protecting your needs. Just like the edges of a page keep the writing neat and purposeful, your boundaries with clients keep your interactions respectful and your emotional space intact.
Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—helps individuals preserve their well-being while offering support to others. Boundaries create the necessary space for self-care, allowing health professionals to engage with those they are helping without losing themselves in their pain. By recognizing and respecting these limits, caregivers can remain effective, empathetic, and emotionally resilient in their work. In essence, boundaries are not just a protective tool; they are foundational to sustaining long-term compassion and maintaining a healthy synergy between personal and professional life.
How Boundaries Help Protect You from Vicarious Trauma
Professional boundaries are essential for protecting both you and those you help. These boundaries create a safe and ethical space, reduce potential ethical dilemmas, and allow you to maintain a healthy balance between being compassionate and safeguarding your own emotional well-being.
Here are ten ways boundaries can specifically protect you from VT:
- Ensuring that you take time to recharge after supporting traumatized clients
- Helping you focus on the task of getting support despite distractions and other people’s needs
- Setting clear expectations with those primarily traumatized about what you can provide, reducing frustration on both sides
- Making certain that you stay focused on intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or mood swings
- Respect your personal space when you have difficulty separating work from personal life
- Taking control of your time to offset the stress of vicarious trauma
- Ensuring that you can communicate your needs when experiencing emotional or psychological distress from being exposed to the traumatic experiences of others
- Prioritizing physical health and healthy habits, even when others require your time
- Clarifying your priorities by identifying what is important in life after witnessing or hearing about the trauma of others
- Building confidence to advocate for yourself when exposed to the pain, suffering, or trauma of others
Setting Boundaries for Personal Growth and Well-Being
When you’re in tune with yourself, setting boundaries becomes much easier. Take time to reflect on your needs and priorities. By enforcing your boundaries, you’ll not only foster personal growth but also build confidence as you stay focused on what’s truly important to you and your long-term aspirations. There are clear signs that it’s time to set your boundaries. Many people express feeling overwhelmed—perhaps because they aren’t taking enough breaks or carving out time to recharge. They might feel constantly disrespected and harbor resentment, or struggle with saying “no.” Overcommitting can lead to neglecting their own needs, and they might find themselves giving away their time to others at the expense of their personal space.
Be personally accountable. Setting boundaries is a form of self-care. It is essential to create a space where you can nurture yourself. When others disregard your needs or fail to respect your limits, it’s a clear indication that boundaries need to be set. If you’re feeling guilty, afraid of someone’s anger, or worried you’re being selfish, talk to someone about it. Struggling with guilt or anxiety over prioritizing what matters to you can be another sign that your boundaries aren’t strong enough. If you constantly give to others without replenishing your energy, you’ll eventually have nothing left for yourself.
