Boundary setting requires the ability to assert your needs and priorities as the highest form of self-care; protecting your own mental health. Be clear and straightforward if someone does not understand the extent of your boundaries. This will leave no room for them to assume you are okay with them breaking them down. Allow yourself grace and accept the discomfort that can come with expressing your needs to others - guilt, shame, remorse, or worry how others will react. The discomfort is common amongst individuals with poor boundary setting, people pleasers and those who are codependent – which is a commonly learned behavior when there is a history of childhood trauma…

As I sat down to write a blog to include in our September edition of our Hope and Healing newsletter, which is dedicated to the celebration of our 5th anniversary, I realized something. We are gearing up for a big 5th anniversary, but we’ve neglected to celebrate along the way. And, well, that is just sad. I’m not going to start at the beginning because…

As the back-to-school season approaches, I always catch myself feeling anxious. The anxiety could be due to sport tryouts, wondering whether I have classes with friends, or even just general anxiety about a new school year. I have also experienced this feeling of anxiety due to starting a new year at a brand-new school. Growing up as an "Air Force Brat" comes with a lot of challenges...