Therapy- initial session

1. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
• Don’t interrupt one another
• Allow others to finish their thoughts
• No personal attacks on one another-
• (Challenge ideas and not individuals)
• No yelling, shouting, or foul language
• This space is for positivity & strength-
building

2. OPENNESS
FOR CHANGE
Are you forced to be here?
Do you know what you
want?
Are you willing to listen?
Are you going to apply it?
Is this a waste of time?

3. WHY ARE YOU HERE?
IS THERE A PATTERN OF FAILURE/TROUBLES?
WHAT ARE THE GOALS?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?

4. PERSONAL
Values are the things you cherish
most in life. They play a role in
shaping your goals, priorities, and
identity. Values are influenced by
your own beliefs, as well as by your
family, friends, and society. Staying
true to your values can help you
express your most authentic self.

5. BOUNDARIES
“Boundaries
are
important, as
they teach
others how
to treat us.”

7. OTHER
EXAMPLES
There are different types of
social interactions that produce
unique boundaries.
For example: your boundaries
can differ depending on the
relationships. It could be
different for your work
colleagues, your intimate
partner, a stranger, or your

8. HOW TO
SAY IT

11. IT’S HARD TO INITIATE FAMILY BOUNDARIES
-If you grew up in a household where boundaries
were problematic or nonexistent (such as raising
your voice at each other or insulting one
another) attempting to set them now, without a
clue as to what healthy boundaries look or feel
like, can be very difficult.
-When starting from scratch, it can be confusing
to both dismantle old, unhealthy, boundaryless
patterns while also learning the skills to utilize
healthy new boundaries.
-You might fear making your family angry or
being abandoned by them.
“Those who resist
healthy boundary-
setting often resent
being asked to engage
in healthy new ways.
Consciously and
unconsciously, they
prefer the unhealthy
patterns that allowed
them to be in control.”

12. ARE YOU LISTENING?
Throughout these meetings, consider what you
can do to contribute positively within the family.
 change your communication style?
 Set healthy boundaries?
 Respect the others’ boundaries?
 Reinforce positive change in each others

13. Let’s get to work
Come up with 1 boundary for
each category
Here are my examples as they
relate to our professional
encounters/sessions
Emotional- I expect clients to respect me and treat me how
they would want to be treated.
Material- I expect clients to take care of office supplies and
instruments.
Time/Energy- I expect clients to respect the time allotted for
each session such as canceling with a 24 hour notice and not
getting up to leave before the session has ended.
Mental- I expect the clients to respect my beliefs and values.
Physical- I expect not to be harmed physically by a client.