Like most dogs, my dog LOVES to take his daily walks! I think he waits all day in excitement and anticipation for his time to spend sniffing everything and exploring. Today we were out for his usual walk, just meandering about and enjoying the evening, when out of no where, another dog who was not on a leash, came running up to him growling and barking. My dog immediately began growling back, while the hair on his back stood up. The owners of the other dog seemed annoyed that a 110 pound dog was growling at their little dog, but they picked their dog up to safety as I reprimanded mine. As I walked away, I felt irritated, and could tell that my dog was too. When our clients feel strong emotions, we ask them to sit with it, and ask them what it’s about. So when I asked myself what was going on, I immediately recognized that it was a boundary issue for me, as well as for my dog. We were following the rules, using a leash, and having fun, minding our own business. This just made me realize how often we react emotionally to boundary violations. And how easy it can be to dismiss them or not recognize when it happens, as well as how this impacts our relationships and overall mood. How often are your feelings a result of a boundary violation? 

Joleen Watson, MS, NCC, is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. She enjoys doing marriage counseling, relationship counseling, couples counseling, and individual counseling.  Imagine Hope also specializes in family, child and adolescent counseling and serves Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Noblesville, Zionsville, Westfield, and Fishers.