The bathhurst family therapy logo is a heart with a rainbow in the middle.

Visualization for Empaths

March 3, 2018

emotional​ defenses

Picture
These built-in protective shields become problematic when they stay out of habit rather than necessity.
Some may never have created an adaptive mechanism and feel overwhelmed
absorb other people’s negativity or emotion and need to build up their emotional boundary
VITAL

Emotional Boundary Exercises


Example 1:
 
Example 2:  
For those who have developed 
too rigid of a boundary with others and want to break down those bricks
 
to connect again, reflect on people or environments that you can rationally identify as “safe”. 

Example 3:  
Imagine stepping through this removed space of your environment and into open air. Join the world. Your brain has gotten so good at compartmentalizing that making a choice to join the present moment in your mental and emotional entirety will likely feel very uncomfortable. When you consciously bring down your emotional shield, do you feel lost, vulnerable or naked? The discomfort is temporary. The more you practice this skill and gain control, the associated anxiety of the unfamiliar will dissipate.
As with most concepts in the therapy and coaching, we seek healthy moderation. Having an ability to turn on those protective walls in a future threatening situation can be a useful tool in keeping you safe. But we also don't want it to be turned on all the time. Having control of the emotional fluidity between you and your outside social environment can help you connect on a deeper level with those you care for.
 
Moderation can help us remain safe while still prioritizing our quality of life.
Good luck in your practice of healthy emotional boundaries!
 

DR. STEPHANIE P. BATHURST, PH.D., LCMFT, CKCT, CPLC

Board Certified Clinical Sexologist
​Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

A woman smiling up at her male partner as they stand in the ocean at sunset
By Stephanie Bathurst December 21, 2024
Strengthen your marriage today by exploring our holistic tips on how to fix my marriage in '8 Holistic Approaches to Strengthen Your Marriage in Hawaii'.
A female marriage counselor meeting with a couple to treat infidelity and porn addiction
By Stephanie Bathurst December 9, 2024
Discover if you need sex therapy to enhance your relationship in our blog '10 Signs You Might Need Sex Therapy to Improve Your Relationship'.
By Stephanie Bathurst October 21, 2024
Beyond Kegels: Exploring Advanced Techniques in Pelvic Floor Therapy
Man and his partner sitting at the top of a mountain enjoying quality time after a hike
By Stephanie Bathurst October 8, 2024
Discover your perfect romantic getaway in Hawaii and Florida
A man holding his wife in bed after a successful virtual session with an intimacy coach
By Stephanie Bathurst October 3, 2024
Ignite the passion in your relationship with insights on intimacy coaching in '5 Ways Intimacy Coaching Can Rekindle the Spark in Your Relationship'.
By Stephanie Bathurst September 24, 2024
Rekindling Passion in Paradise: How a Couples Retreat in Oahu Can Transform Your Relationship
September 23, 2024
Understanding Online Couples Therapy
February 24, 2023
Intimacy Forms:Psychological - Feeling deeply understood at your core. Say you battle depression and when you have an episode flare up, your partner immediately adjusts the social calendar to accommodate your needs. When they look at you, without saying a word, you feel that they see your genuine self. This can sometimes manifest as spiritual bonding, as well. Physical - Physical affection exchange doesn't have to be sexual in nature and can look like embracing hugs, placing their ha [...]
October 5, 2022
​Creating a successful Role-Playing experience is really dependent on 2 things:​1. the energy of the environment and2. your headspace stepping into the scene itself. 1. Energy of environment that is conducive to good-quality role-playing must be palpable upon entrance into the sceneYou feel the energy when you walk into the room and the energy is consistent with the scene that you've contracted beforehand. If you discussed role-playing a power dynamic, there will be a [...]
September 8, 2022
Want to figure out a way to make the honeymoon phase of a relationship last forever? Practicing sex and relationship therapy for 13 years, I've helped partners level-up their happiness to have better sex and improve all 8 forms of intimacy in their relationship using my FLOW™ Formula process. ​ 8 Forms of Intimacy The world doesn’t have to be this dark, lonely place. You deserve to feel love, excitement and lust every day. Unless y [...]
More Posts
Share by: