Boundary Exploration Worksheet
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Looking for a boundary exploration worksheet to support therapy clients in setting boundaries? The free downloadable boundary exploration worksheet PDF in this article describes types and examples of boundaries.
A boundary exploration worksheet can be a useful tool for therapists to help clients maintain healthy relationships and stay true to their values.
As a mental health therapist, you may often help clients set boundaries, and resolve conflicts that arise due to lack of boundaries.
This article and the downloadable boundary exploration worksheet can help you help your clients establish healthy boundaries—providing an overview of various types of boundaries and some examples of how to establish them.
You can download the boundary exploration worksheet PDF from the link above and save it to your electronic health record (EHR) to share digitally, or print it to use as a physical handout.
What is boundary exploration?
Boundary exploration may involve:
- Psychoeducation about boundaries
- Identifying the client’s different boundaries
- Roleplaying how to set and maintain boundaries
Boundary exploration is typically prompted by a conflict or relational challenge the client is experiencing.
For example, you may discuss how certain emotions and reactions are triggered by boundary violations, or your client may identify ways in which their family system has porous boundaries—which lead to poor self-esteem and lack of independence.
Whatever the situation, boundary exploration is a great way for clients to improve their understanding of boundaries and how they affect the quality of their relationships.
What are the different types of boundaries?
Boundaries are a form of self-care and make us feel safe. They also speak to our personal expectations of ourselves and others, as well as our values, morals, and ethics.
Boundaries communicate the limits or rules that relate to a person’s body, mind, emotions, and physical possessions.
While boundaries differ from person-to-person (depending on social, cultural, religious, and personal factors), everyone will have certain boundaries that fall into the following categories:
Intellectual boundaries
These relate to the right to share your thoughts, perspectives, and ideas with others—relating to any topic and in any scenario—like at work, in a relationship, or at an organization.
For example, you may feel someone has crossed an intellectual boundary if you have been silenced, made fun of, or disrespected for sharing your point of view.
Emotional boundaries
Emotional boundaries refer to the protection or respect of your feelings and values. They also determine how we develop relationships—such as gradually building trust or limiting how much of ourselves we share in that process.
Material boundaries
These boundaries denote which of our possessions (car, money, home, etc.) we feel comfortable sharing.
For instance, a breach of a material boundary may be a friend using your car without permission.
Physical boundaries
These types of boundaries relate to our environment and our body.
For example, you may feel uncomfortable if your boss comes behind your chair and touches your shoulder. You’ll know the limits of this boundary when someone acts in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, or violated.
Sexual boundaries
These boundaries refer to the limits we set in terms of sexual intimacy.
This might include ethical non-monogamy, or preferring monogamous relationships. Our sexual boundaries also communicate when we feel comfortable taking the next step in a romantic relationship, or what physical steps we feel comfortable taking in the relationship.
Social or cultural boundaries
These relate to the customs, rules, and practices within certain social, cultural, and other identity groups.
For example, an LGBTQ+ person may not feel safe expressing affection with their significant other in certain environments—like a conservative country where their relationship remains illegal. Or, an unmarried couple may not feel safe working abroad in a country which prohibits unmarried couples from living together.
Time boundaries
Time boundaries refer to the time-based limits we set with ourselves and others about how much time we need to fulfill our commitments, versus how much time we can give to other people or things—like hobbies or social time.
Boundary exploration examples
Therapists can explore boundaries with clients by helping them process situations with a boundary exploration worksheet.
We’ve included specific examples of boundaries in our downloadable boundary exploration worksheet PDF above, with space for clients to reflect on their own boundaries.
Here are some other examples of how to explore boundaries with clients:
Identifying porous boundaries
Ask your client about situations in which they felt uncomfortable and to identify which boundary they, or another person, may have violated.
For example, maybe a colleague shares a lot of personal information unprompted, a parent expects to be involved in making decisions for their independent adult child, or your client offers unsolicited advice without observing that they may have crossed an intellectual or emotional boundary.
Question-based boundary exploration
You may want to ask your client to identify boundaries through certain prompts, such as:
- What does personal space mean to you?
- How would you know if someone had violated your physical boundaries?
- Can you describe situations where you were offended or upset by someone’s actions? Which type of boundary do you think they breached?
- Describe situations in which you’ve had to take a step back, or limit someone’s access to you.
- Are there certain circumstances, or people, that make setting boundaries difficult?
- Have there been any instances where you’ve found yourself compromising your boundaries, and what was the outcome?
- How have you tried to implement boundaries?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses with boundaries?
- In what ways would you like to improve your boundaries?
How to use the boundary exploration worksheet with clients
The boundary exploration worksheet PDF can be used in various ways with clients:
- As a boundary exploration worksheet for adults in session
- As a psychoeducation tool
- The boundary exploration worksheet can be used in a virtual session as a whiteboard activity
- As a boundary exploration worksheet for youth to remember what was discussed during therapy
- To roleplay setting boundaries in session
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