Southwestern College Santa Fe, NM
As therapists we often have to make clear where our boundaries exist without hurting or confusing those who approach them. This does not have to be complicated and, in fact, can be an opportunity to display love, even elegance. By reflecting how we love ourselves we reveal the lightness of love to others. By stating our needs we demonstrate an ability to know ourselves as well as respect ourselves. If we state these needs from a place of self-love there is no possibility of real harm to another.
When we are clear we offer clarity to those around us. When we are emotionally clean, we offer this cleanliness as well. And when we offer these conscious reflections of ourselves, our boundaries become a kind of gift and even a revelation of love to all those present. When we safe-guard and nurture ourselves from this place of awareness and love, not out of unconscious fear, we present a beautiful part of ourselves to others. In this light, boundaries become well-crafted veils or earthy tapestries that we choose to wear. They are the glass jars now buffering the wooden spikes of an old fence put up during the age of survival.
We must bring consciousness to these furthest reaches of our being for out there at our edges is where all interface occurs. This is where relationships begin and end. This is where connection is born and growth is given fuel. As therapists we often have to make clear where our boundaries exist without hurting or confusing those who approach them. So may they be soft and smooth with glazed tints of loveliness, even elegance.
Archetypally yours,
Heather Wulfers, ATR-BC, LPAT, LPCC
Heather is an archetypal art therapist, clinical supervisor and course instructor in Santa Fe, NM. She currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at Southwestern College teaching Archetypal Psychology and Internship Seminar as well as at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design teaching Who Am I? an Intro to Art Therapy. Feel free to visit her website.
